Best practices Archives - CASW Connector

Resource Database / Guide

Resources to help journalists cover the 2024 US election

The Journalist's Resource

"All year, journalists all over the United States have been hard at work covering the 2024 election. The Journalist’s Resource team has been hard at work, too, creating resources to help you cover the news in the lead-up to Election Day and beyond. Here’s a collection of the election-related tip sheets, research roundups and explainers we’ve published this year so far."

Resources to help journalists cover the 2024 US election

Summary:

"All year, journalists all over the United States have been hard at work covering the 2024 election. The Journalist’s Resource team has been hard at work, too, creating resources to help you cover the news in the lead-up to Election Day and beyond. Here’s a collection of the election-related tip sheets, research roundups and explainers we’ve published this year so far."

Organization:

The Journalist's Resource

Date:

October 16, 2024

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

Insights and practical considerations for communicating basic science

Kavli Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy

This report provides "a synthesis of five years’ worth of themes, takeaways, tips, and new questions to explore going forward for basic scientists, science communicators, communications trainers, social science researchers, and more." It summarizes discussions from the Science Public Engagement Partnership, a collaboration between the Kavli Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Insights and practical considerations for communicating basic science

Summary:

This report provides "a synthesis of five years’ worth of themes, takeaways, tips, and new questions to explore going forward for basic scientists, science communicators, communications trainers, social science researchers, and more." It summarizes discussions from the Science Public Engagement Partnership, a collaboration between the Kavli Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Organization:

Kavli Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy

Date:

October 17, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

The Public Health Communicators Guide to Misinformation

Public Health Communications Collaborative

"Building continued trust in public health requires communicators to learn how to identify false narratives and respond with clarity, accurate information, and accessible language. This guide, developed by the Public Health Communications Collaborative in partnership with the Infodemiology Training Program, provides foundational insights into the current misinformation landscape and an overview of tools for assessing risk and determining responses."

The Public Health Communicators Guide to Misinformation

Summary:

"Building continued trust in public health requires communicators to learn how to identify false narratives and respond with clarity, accurate information, and accessible language. This guide, developed by the Public Health Communications Collaborative in partnership with the Infodemiology Training Program, provides foundational insights into the current misinformation landscape and an overview of tools for assessing risk and determining responses."

Organization:

Public Health Communications Collaborative

Date:

September 18, 2024

Category:

For:

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Article

Mpox: An explainer and research roundup

"A handful of researchers tried to notify the international community about a brewing problem with mpox, but their reports went mostly unnoticed until an outbreak in the United Kingdom in May 2022." This piece, first published in 2022, was updated in August 2024 given new alerts and emergency declarations from the U.S. CDC, Africa CDC, and World Health Organization.

Workshop

EurekAlert! webinars for journalists

EurekAlert!, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

EurekAlert!, the science press release service from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is offering a new webinar series for students and early-career science journalists to help these EurekAlert! members make the most of the service. The first webinar, focused on embargoes, took place on August 30 and will repeat monthly after that.

EurekAlert! webinars for journalists

Summary:

EurekAlert!, the science press release service from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is offering a new webinar series for students and early-career science journalists to help these EurekAlert! members make the most of the service. The first webinar, focused on embargoes, took place on August 30 and will repeat monthly after that.

Organization:

EurekAlert!, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Dates:

Category:

For:

VISIT

Article

Trauma-informed journalism: What it is, why it’s important and tips for practicing it

"Experts and journalists who have researched and worked with trauma survivors say that practicing trauma-informed journalism not only leads to better, more accurate stories, but also helps protect survivors from further harm." This explainer and tip sheet is based on a review of several reliable sources on trauma-informed reporting and interviews with Elana Newman of the Dart Center, and Tamara Cherry, founder of Pickup Communications PR agency, both experts who focus on this area.

Article

Why this matters: How to cover health disparities more effectively

A new study from researchers at Cornell University found that how health disparities were framed in news articles had an impact on readers' perceptions of their risks. AHCJ spoke with Jeff Niederdeppe, Ph.D., who led the research, about this work and "what journalists can do to improve their coverage of health disparities while thinking about the impact their language has on readers."

Article

The state of science reporting in today’s digital media landscape: A survey of journalists and scientists who use SciLine’s expert matching service

SciLine, University of Texas at Austin

SciLine, based at AAAS, and the Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin collaborated on a survey of journalists and scientists who use SciLine's service matching these two professional groups for news stories. The survey results reveal lessons for journalists and scientists about how the groups can better work together in doing media interviews. For example, "this relationship may be improved by setting clear expectations regarding scientists’ limited influence over the story."

Book

Engaging With the Press: A Guide for Perplexed Readers and Sources

"We train scientists and health professionals to collect and analyze evidence. Yet we’re far less intentional about equipping them to credibly communicate it in an increasingly skeptical and fragmented world." This resource, by veteran news executive Richard J. (Dick) Tofel, aims to address this challenge by preparing scientists, health professionals, and other sources of the news media to better understand the world of journalism and how they can engage with it. It describes the motivations of reporters, editors, and publishers; how material from sources is received; challenges for readers and sources, and more.

Article

Research highlights need for public health approach in news reporting of gun violence

A May 2024 study, published in BMC Public Health, examines local television news clips covering gun violence. The study "reveals an overwhelming reliance on law enforcement narratives, missing deeper insights into the root causes and potential solutions to gun violence." This article unpacks those findings and offers recommendations for journalists covering gun violence as a public health issue.

Article

Covering extreme heat

Covering Climate Now

"In addition to being obviously uncomfortable, extreme heat is a public health issue." This guide, an issue of Covering Climate Now's biweekly newsletter, includes reporting tips, story examples, and resources for covering extreme heat. A Spanish/español version is also available.

Conference

Communicating Discovery Science – International symposium

Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University

This symposium, sponsored by the Kavli Foundation, "aims to deepen understanding of effective public engagement around Discovery Science, also known as basic or foundational science, by exploring ways to improve the practice of communicating Discovery Science, share insights and create a supportive community for scientists and science communication practitioners focused on basic science."

Book

50 Essentials on Science Communication

"This handy and entertaining book provides the basics of goal-oriented science communication. It is aimed at career-building scientists and anyone who wants to take their first steps in the field of science communication. Experienced international authors in the field share their essential thoughts on important aspects of contemporary science communication."

Article

Journalists should report on lax oversight of research data, says data sleuth

Behavioral scientist Uri Simonsohn shares his thoughts on how journalists can improve their coverage of academic fraud and misconduct. Simonsohn, who coauthors the Data Colada blog (https://datacolada.org/), urges reporters to ask researchers about preregistration and expose opportunities for fraud.

Resource Database / Guide

Tip sheet: Tapping wastewater surveillance — the next big source of public health data — in your reporting

This tip sheet shares resources and reporting tips from a lightning talk that Betsy Ladyzhets gave at the 2024 Association of Health Care Journalists conference. Ladyzhets discussed where to find wastewater surveillance data, how to interpret it, and types of stories you can do based on wastewater surveillance data, whether you're covering COVID-19 or another health threat.

Tip sheet: Tapping wastewater surveillance — the next big source of public health data — in your reporting

Summary:

This tip sheet shares resources and reporting tips from a lightning talk that Betsy Ladyzhets gave at the 2024 Association of Health Care Journalists conference. Ladyzhets discussed where to find wastewater surveillance data, how to interpret it, and types of stories you can do based on wastewater surveillance data, whether you're covering COVID-19 or another health threat.

Author:

Betsy Ladyzhets

Date:

June 8, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

Press briefing: War and climate change

Covering Climate Now

"War and climate change are intertwined in ways that journalists need to understand. Violent conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere are not only causing terrible human suffering, they are fueling the climate crisis." This press briefing from Covering Climate Now discusses the carbon footprints of military operations, how extreme weather can "kindle armed conflict," and how to talk about the climate crisis when war is ongoing. Panelists include Neta C. Crawford from the University of Oxford, Rawan Damen from Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism, and Ellie Kinney, from the Conflict and Environment Observatory.

Press briefing: War and climate change

Summary:

"War and climate change are intertwined in ways that journalists need to understand. Violent conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere are not only causing terrible human suffering, they are fueling the climate crisis." This press briefing from Covering Climate Now discusses the carbon footprints of military operations, how extreme weather can "kindle armed conflict," and how to talk about the climate crisis when war is ongoing. Panelists include Neta C. Crawford from the University of Oxford, Rawan Damen from Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism, and Ellie Kinney, from the Conflict and Environment Observatory.

Organization:

Covering Climate Now

Date:

May 29, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

Responsible mental health reporting: Tips from journalists

National Press Foundation

"'Everything with mental health in our country is a massive structural failure,' said author and journalist Judith Warner. That’s why covering mental health as a journalist with care is crucial. Warner, author and journalist Stephanie Foo and NPR health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee spoke to NPF’s Covering Workplace Mental Health Fellows about how journalists can make their reporting more nuanced and impactful." The session is available as a video recording and transcript, along with tips shared in an article.

Responsible mental health reporting: Tips from journalists

Summary:

"'Everything with mental health in our country is a massive structural failure,' said author and journalist Judith Warner. That’s why covering mental health as a journalist with care is crucial. Warner, author and journalist Stephanie Foo and NPR health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee spoke to NPF’s Covering Workplace Mental Health Fellows about how journalists can make their reporting more nuanced and impactful." The session is available as a video recording and transcript, along with tips shared in an article.

Organization:

National Press Foundation

Date:

May 22, 2024

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

EurekAlert! resources

EurekAlert!, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

This site, maintained by EurekAlert! (the news-release distribution service operated by AAAS), highlights a variety of international resources for science journalists and public information officers (PIOs). The site includes links to communities for science writers in different parts of the world, guides and best practices, articles and videos, and more.

EurekAlert! resources

Summary:

This site, maintained by EurekAlert! (the news-release distribution service operated by AAAS), highlights a variety of international resources for science journalists and public information officers (PIOs). The site includes links to communities for science writers in different parts of the world, guides and best practices, articles and videos, and more.

Organization:

EurekAlert!, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

How to pre-bunk climate disinformation

Covering Climate Now

"Researchers studying climate disinformation agree: 'Inoculation' is one of the most effective options for countering it, and the first step toward inoculation is 'pre-bunking,' or warning audiences in advance. In this webinar, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, panelists will discuss ways journalists can get ahead of climate disinformation and 'pre-bunk' it in a way that doesn’t amplify the disinfo or cause unnecessary alarm." Amy Westervelt, investigative climate journalist and executive editor of Drilled Media, moderated the panel. The panelists were Ketan Joshi, communications consultant & author, Phil Newell, Director of Science Defense, Climate Nexus, and Dharna Noor, Fossil Fuels and Climate Reporter, The Guardian.

How to pre-bunk climate disinformation

Summary:

"Researchers studying climate disinformation agree: 'Inoculation' is one of the most effective options for countering it, and the first step toward inoculation is 'pre-bunking,' or warning audiences in advance. In this webinar, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, panelists will discuss ways journalists can get ahead of climate disinformation and 'pre-bunk' it in a way that doesn’t amplify the disinfo or cause unnecessary alarm." Amy Westervelt, investigative climate journalist and executive editor of Drilled Media, moderated the panel. The panelists were Ketan Joshi, communications consultant & author, Phil Newell, Director of Science Defense, Climate Nexus, and Dharna Noor, Fossil Fuels and Climate Reporter, The Guardian.

Organization:

Covering Climate Now

Date:

April 11, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Video

How to effectively cover climate change and reach an avoidant audience

International Journalism Festival

This panel at the 2024 International Journalism Festival discusses the challenge of engaging audiences in climate change coverage. It explored the questions: "How can we change our formats to meet the audience where they are? Can we be playful and entertaining in the delivery, and serious on the facts? What can we learn from successful social media narratives?" Panelists included: Juan Manuel Benitez (Columbia University), Anna Bressanin (US editor, BBC Reel), Adam Levy (journalist and climate communicator), and Amy Westervelt (founder, Critical Frequency).

How to effectively cover climate change and reach an avoidant audience

Summary:

This panel at the 2024 International Journalism Festival discusses the challenge of engaging audiences in climate change coverage. It explored the questions: "How can we change our formats to meet the audience where they are? Can we be playful and entertaining in the delivery, and serious on the facts? What can we learn from successful social media narratives?" Panelists included: Juan Manuel Benitez (Columbia University), Anna Bressanin (US editor, BBC Reel), Adam Levy (journalist and climate communicator), and Amy Westervelt (founder, Critical Frequency).

Organization:

International Journalism Festival

Date:

April 19, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

Tip sheet: Best practices for pitching freelance stories

CASW Connector

On January 10, CASW Connector hosted a Chat discussing the best practices for pitching freelance stories, including how to structure your pitch, how to approach new editors, the art of the soft pitch, and much more. The panelists answered attendees’ questions, and participants discussed specific issues about pitching in breakout groups. This event was facilitated by Connector managing editor Kate Travis, and the panelists were: Robin Lloyd, freelance writer and editor, CASW president, and creator and curator of Science media outlets to pitch; Victoria Jaggard, deputy editor, health and science, The Washington Post; Esther Landhuis, freelance science & health journalist; and Debbie Ponchner, editor, Knowable en español, and CASW board member.

Tip sheet: Best practices for pitching freelance stories

Summary:

On January 10, CASW Connector hosted a Chat discussing the best practices for pitching freelance stories, including how to structure your pitch, how to approach new editors, the art of the soft pitch, and much more. The panelists answered attendees’ questions, and participants discussed specific issues about pitching in breakout groups. This event was facilitated by Connector managing editor Kate Travis, and the panelists were: Robin Lloyd, freelance writer and editor, CASW president, and creator and curator of Science media outlets to pitch; Victoria Jaggard, deputy editor, health and science, The Washington Post; Esther Landhuis, freelance science & health journalist; and Debbie Ponchner, editor, Knowable en español, and CASW board member.

Organization:

CASW Connector

Date:

January 15, 2024

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Article

10 ways researchers can help journalists avoid errors when reporting on academic studies

"This tip sheet outlines some of the many ways researchers can help the news media cover research accurately, starting with the journalists who interview them about their own work." It offers tips to researchers for approaching interviews with journalists, differences in language between academia and media, and giving feedback to journalists.

Resource Database / Guide

The Debunking Handbook 2020

The Debunking Handbook 2020 is a guide to debunking misinformation. While it was developed by climate scientists, the tactics described apply to a variety of scientific topics. The Handbook was written by 22 scientists through a consensus process and has been translated into about 20 languages.

The Debunking Handbook 2020

Summary:

The Debunking Handbook 2020 is a guide to debunking misinformation. While it was developed by climate scientists, the tactics described apply to a variety of scientific topics. The Handbook was written by 22 scientists through a consensus process and has been translated into about 20 languages.

Published By:

Skeptical Science

Date:

October 14, 2020

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Article

Beyond the debunk: How science journalists can report on misinformation

NASW

"The key to correcting misinformation is to debunk it quickly, and ideally prebunk it before it even sprouts. At the ScienceWriters2022 national meeting in Memphis, journalist Kat Eschner taught attendees multiple tools for writing different types of stories to combat misinformation, in a session titled 'Beyond Fake News: Reporting on Misinformation.'" This recap article summarizes key points and resources from the session.

Article

Misinformation: 3 tips to help journalists avoid being part of the problem

"In his new book, How America Lost Its Mind, Harvard Kennedy School professor Thomas Patterson charts the dramatic rise in misinformation over the past three decades. On everything from climate change to vaccines, millions of Americans hold views that are wildly at odds with the facts and are confounding efforts to deal with the nation’s policy problems." In this article, "Patterson offers journalists three tips on how to avoid being part of the misinformation problem as well as suggestions for what to do instead."

Find a resource

Library

Resources to help journalists cover the 2024 US election

Insights and practical considerations for communicating basic science

The Public Health Communicators Guide to Misinformation

Mpox: An explainer and research roundup

EurekAlert! webinars for journalists

Trauma-informed journalism: What it is, why it’s important and tips for practicing it

Why this matters: How to cover health disparities more effectively

The state of science reporting in today’s digital media landscape: A survey of journalists and scientists who use SciLine’s expert matching service

Engaging With the Press: A Guide for Perplexed Readers and Sources

Research highlights need for public health approach in news reporting of gun violence

Covering extreme heat

Communicating Discovery Science – International symposium

50 Essentials on Science Communication

Journalists should report on lax oversight of research data, says data sleuth

Tip sheet: Tapping wastewater surveillance — the next big source of public health data — in your reporting

Press briefing: War and climate change

Responsible mental health reporting: Tips from journalists

EurekAlert! resources

How to pre-bunk climate disinformation

How to effectively cover climate change and reach an avoidant audience

Tip sheet: Best practices for pitching freelance stories

10 ways researchers can help journalists avoid errors when reporting on academic studies

The Debunking Handbook 2020

Beyond the debunk: How science journalists can report on misinformation

Misinformation: 3 tips to help journalists avoid being part of the problem