*Snapshot NOW: *The science journalism industry is addressing the training of journalists to think scientifically and the training of scientists to think communicatively. Age-old barriers to getting published still exist (ironclad editorial doors, competition with seasoned reporters and endless pitch turndowns). Various research studies into science and media show trends in decreasing salaries, revenues and media coverage. Similarly, there are evidenced increases in PR resources and direct online communication by scientists.
*Snapshot FUTURE: *What to do after all the science journalism training (skilled up, fewer jobs, more communicators)? Just how is the next generation of science news reporters financially surviving and making a dent in the reporting and dissemination of science news? Is there room for entrepreneurial thinking? What does a journalist/scientist/web programmer/designer look like? Can we design the perfect digital science news media model?
The “Entrepreneurial Science Journalism” session at the World Conference of Science Journalists http://wcsj2011.org/ (WCSJ) in Egypt next year will explore these questions as well as look at what employment avenues are currently being pursued by the newcomer into the science media industry; what new avenues are worth pursuing; and what extra-curricular skill set is essential for survival. It will discuss whether journalists should slog it out alone or whether the chances for survival are better in forming a hyperlocal/hyperniche science news media collaborative?
The session will end in a round table for open dialogue with the audience to collect entrepreneurial suggestions for the perfect science media model heading toward 2020. What business ideas can / should an entrepreneurial science journalist think about to deliver science news locally, nationally, internationally? What other live initiatives exist that we can learn from?
Needed (Wanted)
In preparation for the WCSJ, I am on the hunt to find live examples of ‘entrepreneurial science journalism’. It is stressed that the examples do NOT need to be Wow! examples. I am interested in any endeavours that are being pursued either in-house or independently.
I would also be interested in dialogue with others who are interested in this subject generally.
Speakers for the WCSJ Entrepreneurial Science Journalism session so far include Adam Tinworth http://www.onemanandhisblog.com/, Editorial Development Manager for the publisher of New Scientist magazine; Howard Hudson, editor at the European Journalism Centre and for the RELATE Project http://relateproject.eu/; and Subhra Priyadarshini, launched the Nature India http://www.nature.com/nindia/index.html portal for Nature Publishing Group; and myself, founder of the New Science Journalism Project http://www.newsciencejournalism.net/.
Please contact me at the below email address. Alison