Myopic Astronomer's Kaleidoscope

The study links the MMR media furore to the fall in vaccine take-up

A report by the Social Market Foundation (SMF), an independent research group, has accused the UK media of sensationalising science.

It says irresponsible reporting can undermine public confidence in science and government, and on issues like vaccination may even cost lives. The think tank blames inaccurate reporting for the scare that led some parents to shun the MMR vaccine.

The SMF study was sponsored by mobile phone operators in the UK.

Claudia Wood of the SMF said journalists tend to seek black and white stories and look for certainties which cannot be provided by science. "The media has to be very aware that what it says can have huge impacts on the public's behaviour," she told the BBC......

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'Inherent mistrust'

The pamphlet, Science, Risk and the Media: Do the front pages reflect reality?, was based on a meeting by experts at the three main political party conferences, last year.

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The experts made several recommendations for improving scientific understanding among the public:

• Newspapers and broadcasters should employ more science graduates
• Scientists and science graduates should be encouraged to undertake media training
• Universities should offer multidisciplinary science degrees which include issues of ethics
• Policymakers need a better understanding of public perceptions of risk.