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Topic: Covering controversial topics
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Training program

The Covering Climate Now Academy

"Climate change is the defining story of our time, and journalists everywhere need the tools to cover with depth, accuracy, and impact. That’s why Covering Climate Now offers journalists worldwide a free, live, online training program designed to help them tell stronger climate stories across beats and borders."
  • The next program takes place March 4 to June 17, 2026, comprising 12 weekly training sessions and three community activities. The sessions are on Wednesdays, 14:00 UTC, via Zoom. Deadline: Feb. 16.
Training program

The Covering Climate Now Academy

Summary:
"Climate change is the defining story of our time, and journalists everywhere need the tools to cover with depth, accuracy, and impact. That’s why Covering Climate Now offers journalists worldwide a free, live, online training program designed to help them tell stronger climate stories across beats and borders."
  • The next program takes place March 4 to June 17, 2026, comprising 12 weekly training sessions and three community activities. The sessions are on Wednesdays, 14:00 UTC, via Zoom. Deadline: Feb. 16.
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Article

How To Write (Persuasively) About the Climate Crisis

"In a course on science writing, environmental journalist Bill McKibben suggested that people are more open to hearing about clean energy than they are about climate." From an interview by science journalist Claudia Dreifus, who teaches a course at Columbia University, "Writing About Global Science for the International Media." This article was published in the Winter 2025-26 edition of Columbia University's Columbia Magazine.
Article

How To Write (Persuasively) About the Climate Crisis

Summary:
"In a course on science writing, environmental journalist Bill McKibben suggested that people are more open to hearing about clean energy than they are about climate." From an interview by science journalist Claudia Dreifus, who teaches a course at Columbia University, "Writing About Global Science for the International Media." This article was published in the Winter 2025-26 edition of Columbia University's Columbia Magazine.
Author:

Paul Hond

Published By:

Columbia Magazine

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Video

Science, Values & Trust: Improving How We Communicate in Health Policy

National Academy of Medicine

"Science is not a destination or a set of recommendations. It is a never-ending process through which we pursue truth. Surrounding and accompanying the scientific process are value judgments. What should scientists study? How should they study it? How should scientists interpret uncertain evidence? At what point should people respond to new evidence by changing their behavior? When should policy makers recommend or require that others do so? How should scientists and policy makers communicate evidence, recommendations, and requirements? Answering each of these questions requires value judgments that exist outside the scientific process. Failure to recognize or be open about the values underlying these choices can erode trust among those with different values. ... Amid deep polarization and public skepticism, how can the science and public health communities acknowledge these dynamics while still upholding the rigor and integrity of evidence-informed decision making? This conversation will explore how values and uncertainty intersect in both science and policy and how transparency and humility can strengthen trust in both."
Video

Science, Values & Trust: Improving How We Communicate in Health Policy

Summary:
"Science is not a destination or a set of recommendations. It is a never-ending process through which we pursue truth. Surrounding and accompanying the scientific process are value judgments. What should scientists study? How should they study it? How should scientists interpret uncertain evidence? At what point should people respond to new evidence by changing their behavior? When should policy makers recommend or require that others do so? How should scientists and policy makers communicate evidence, recommendations, and requirements? Answering each of these questions requires value judgments that exist outside the scientific process. Failure to recognize or be open about the values underlying these choices can erode trust among those with different values. ... Amid deep polarization and public skepticism, how can the science and public health communities acknowledge these dynamics while still upholding the rigor and integrity of evidence-informed decision making? This conversation will explore how values and uncertainty intersect in both science and policy and how transparency and humility can strengthen trust in both."
Organization:

National Academy of Medicine

Date:

December 9, 2025

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Article

Reporting on Alcohol and Drinking Risks

"Years of contradictory headlines about whether moderate drinking is harmful or beneficial for different health outcomes has left many people frustrated and skeptical. ... So how can journalists help people make informed decisions about their drinking levels? Here are some suggestions."
Article

Reporting on Alcohol and Drinking Risks

Summary:
"Years of contradictory headlines about whether moderate drinking is harmful or beneficial for different health outcomes has left many people frustrated and skeptical. ... So how can journalists help people make informed decisions about their drinking levels? Here are some suggestions."
Author:

Susan Stellin

Published By:

Reynolds Journalism Institute

Date:

November 19, 2025

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Article

Reporting on Common Vaccine Conspiracies and Misinformation

"To effectively report on the science behind the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, journalists should understand how false information about them has originated and spread. That includes a universe of misinformation spread a variety of ways. ... Journalists should also understand that many factors can contribute to how likely someone is to believe false information about vaccines. One of these is the influence of cognitive biases — errors in thinking that arise from patterns of experience." Includes a list of common vaccine misconceptions and how to counter inaccurate information.
Article

Reporting on Common Vaccine Conspiracies and Misinformation

Summary:
"To effectively report on the science behind the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, journalists should understand how false information about them has originated and spread. That includes a universe of misinformation spread a variety of ways. ... Journalists should also understand that many factors can contribute to how likely someone is to believe false information about vaccines. One of these is the influence of cognitive biases — errors in thinking that arise from patterns of experience." Includes a list of common vaccine misconceptions and how to counter inaccurate information.
Author:

Tara Haelle

Published By:

SciLine

Date:

September 16, 2025

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Article

How Science Journalists Worldwide Are Fighting White House Health Misinformation

"Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump warned pregnant women to stop taking Tylenol – a brand name for paracetamol – or risk giving their children autism. ... Vaccines have been a common target, with Trump falsely correlating vaccines with autism and RFK Jr challenging the safety of both the COVID-19 vaccine and the DTP vaccine. With so many attacks on health and science, what are specialised reporters and editors doing to counter this barrage of disinformation from the most powerful man on Earth? Do these messages have an impact around the world? And what are the challenges posed to the journalists covering these beats? To answer these questions and more, I spoke with five editors of science and health publications in the United States, South Africa, Kenya and Peru."
Article

How Science Journalists Worldwide Are Fighting White House Health Misinformation

Summary:
"Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump warned pregnant women to stop taking Tylenol – a brand name for paracetamol – or risk giving their children autism. ... Vaccines have been a common target, with Trump falsely correlating vaccines with autism and RFK Jr challenging the safety of both the COVID-19 vaccine and the DTP vaccine. With so many attacks on health and science, what are specialised reporters and editors doing to counter this barrage of disinformation from the most powerful man on Earth? Do these messages have an impact around the world? And what are the challenges posed to the journalists covering these beats? To answer these questions and more, I spoke with five editors of science and health publications in the United States, South Africa, Kenya and Peru."
Author:

Gretel Kahn

Published By:

Reuters Institute

Date:

November 4, 2025

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Article

Reporting on Psychedelics Research or Legislation? Proceed With Caution

"Despite the hype, optimism and legislation involving the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, researchers warn that there's much we don't know. This research roundup looks at some of the knowns and unknowns of psilocybin, MDMA and other hallucinogens."
Article

Reporting on Psychedelics Research or Legislation? Proceed With Caution

Summary:
"Despite the hype, optimism and legislation involving the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, researchers warn that there's much we don't know. This research roundup looks at some of the knowns and unknowns of psilocybin, MDMA and other hallucinogens."
Author:

Naseem S. Miller

Published By:

The Journalist's Resource

Date:

February 27, 2024

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Article

Q&A on the 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccines

"Amid confusion over this year’s updated COVID-19 vaccines, we [FactCheck.org] explain what’s different this year and who experts say should get vaccinated."
Article

Q&A on the 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccines

Summary:
"Amid confusion over this year’s updated COVID-19 vaccines, we [FactCheck.org] explain what’s different this year and who experts say should get vaccinated."
Author:

Kate Yandell

Published By:

FactCheck.org

Date:

October 10, 2025

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Podcast

How To Cover Science Under Trump

Undark

"In this episode [of the Entanglements podcast], hosts Brooke Borel and Anna Rothschild talk to Tom Zeller Jr., Undark’s editor-in-chief, about covering science under the Trump administration."
Podcast

How To Cover Science Under Trump

Summary:
"In this episode [of the Entanglements podcast], hosts Brooke Borel and Anna Rothschild talk to Tom Zeller Jr., Undark’s editor-in-chief, about covering science under the Trump administration."
Organization:

Undark

Date:

October 8, 2025

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Article

Where To Find Accurate Vaccine Information Amidst the CDC’s Ongoing Collapse

"With the CDC no longer a trustworthy source, use these resources to find reliable, accurate, evidence-based information about vaccines."    
Article

Where To Find Accurate Vaccine Information Amidst the CDC’s Ongoing Collapse

Summary:
"With the CDC no longer a trustworthy source, use these resources to find reliable, accurate, evidence-based information about vaccines."    
Author:

Tara Haelle

Published By:

Association of Health Care Journalists

Date:

October 7, 2025

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Article

Covering Vaccine Mandates and Policy in a Polarized Community

"Public health laws that require vaccinations have been an integral part of reducing the burden of infectious disease in the U.S. The elimination of measles in 2000, for example, would not have been possible without state laws that require measles vaccination for public school attendance. But misconceptions about vaccine mandates have also led to confusion among media audiences. This tip sheet aims to provide a background on vaccine mandates in the U.S. and how to report on them accurately, responsibly and thoughtfully for your audiences."
Article

Covering Vaccine Mandates and Policy in a Polarized Community

Summary:
"Public health laws that require vaccinations have been an integral part of reducing the burden of infectious disease in the U.S. The elimination of measles in 2000, for example, would not have been possible without state laws that require measles vaccination for public school attendance. But misconceptions about vaccine mandates have also led to confusion among media audiences. This tip sheet aims to provide a background on vaccine mandates in the U.S. and how to report on them accurately, responsibly and thoughtfully for your audiences."
Author:

Tara Haelle

Published By:

SciLine

Date:

September 16, 2025

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Article

Childhood Vaccines: What Research Shows About Their Safety and Potential Side Effects

"In this piece, we share reporting tips, explain how vaccine side effects are tracked in the U.S., and discuss research on the safety of childhood vaccines."
Article

Childhood Vaccines: What Research Shows About Their Safety and Potential Side Effects

Summary:
"In this piece, we share reporting tips, explain how vaccine side effects are tracked in the U.S., and discuss research on the safety of childhood vaccines."
Author:

Naseem S. Miller

Published By:

The Journalist's Resource

Date:

September 19, 2025

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Article

How To Cover the Ongoing Confusion Over COVID Vaccines

"The confusion around COVID vaccine recommendations and access in the fall of 2025 is reminiscent of the first months of 2021 when the vaccines first became available. Back then, most access barriers arose from logistical and supply-chain issues. Now, barriers have been created by HHS policy (or lack thereof) and a patchwork of laws in different states and jurisdictions that have created confusion about how people can legally access the vaccines. The confusion in 2021 felt familiar, relatively speaking, for journalists who have covered any vaccine rollout, which usually involves some hiccups and uncertainty. The new quagmire of COVID vaccine access is more challenging to cover because it’s a moving target, with circumstances changing by the day. Even the people who are supposed to know what’s going on — pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, physicians, and public health experts — aren’t sure what will happen next. All this uncertainty makes the role of journalists more crucial than ever in helping audiences decide whether they should get the new COVID vaccine and helping them understand the barriers they might encounter, why those barriers exist, and how, if possible, they can navigate them. These tips can help journalists deliver the information their audiences need now."  
Article

How To Cover the Ongoing Confusion Over COVID Vaccines

Summary:
"The confusion around COVID vaccine recommendations and access in the fall of 2025 is reminiscent of the first months of 2021 when the vaccines first became available. Back then, most access barriers arose from logistical and supply-chain issues. Now, barriers have been created by HHS policy (or lack thereof) and a patchwork of laws in different states and jurisdictions that have created confusion about how people can legally access the vaccines. The confusion in 2021 felt familiar, relatively speaking, for journalists who have covered any vaccine rollout, which usually involves some hiccups and uncertainty. The new quagmire of COVID vaccine access is more challenging to cover because it’s a moving target, with circumstances changing by the day. Even the people who are supposed to know what’s going on — pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, physicians, and public health experts — aren’t sure what will happen next. All this uncertainty makes the role of journalists more crucial than ever in helping audiences decide whether they should get the new COVID vaccine and helping them understand the barriers they might encounter, why those barriers exist, and how, if possible, they can navigate them. These tips can help journalists deliver the information their audiences need now."  
Author:

Tara Haelle

Published By:

Association of Health Care Journalists

Date:

September 10, 2025

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Video

Preparing for Reporting on Autism, Vaccines and Related Science

Association of Health Care Journalists

"In this webinar, moderator Tara Haelle and an expert panel — including Paul Offit, M.D. (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), and Jessica B. Steier, DrPH, PMP (Founder and CEO of Unbiased Science) — help reporters navigate the science behind autism, vaccines, and the expected Health and Human Services report on autism causes." Includes a number of additional resources.
Video

Preparing for Reporting on Autism, Vaccines and Related Science

Summary:
"In this webinar, moderator Tara Haelle and an expert panel — including Paul Offit, M.D. (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), and Jessica B. Steier, DrPH, PMP (Founder and CEO of Unbiased Science) — help reporters navigate the science behind autism, vaccines, and the expected Health and Human Services report on autism causes." Includes a number of additional resources.
Organization:

Association of Health Care Journalists

Date:

September 11, 2025

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Resource Database / Guide

How To Cover Vaccines Responsibly in 2025

"Newsrooms in 2025 face a significant challenge covering the effort to upend decades of rigorous vaccine science and the policies it has guided. Misinformation and disinformation about the development, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines are coming from the highest levels of government, and individual states are issuing their own vaccination guidance and changing their vaccine mandates. This [SciLine] toolkit provides tips and resources for journalists covering vaccines in their communities, describing basic vaccine science, providing graphics to use in your stories (coming soon), explaining causes of vaccine hesitancy, and more." Also available in Spanish.
Resource Database / Guide

How To Cover Vaccines Responsibly in 2025

Summary:
"Newsrooms in 2025 face a significant challenge covering the effort to upend decades of rigorous vaccine science and the policies it has guided. Misinformation and disinformation about the development, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines are coming from the highest levels of government, and individual states are issuing their own vaccination guidance and changing their vaccine mandates. This [SciLine] toolkit provides tips and resources for journalists covering vaccines in their communities, describing basic vaccine science, providing graphics to use in your stories (coming soon), explaining causes of vaccine hesitancy, and more." Also available in Spanish.
Published By:

SciLine

Date:

September 16, 2025

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Article

Covering Vaccines: Understand the Science, Be Thoughtful About Framing

"During the pandemic, journalists who had never covered public health issues in-depth suddenly found themselves immersed in the complexities of vaccines: Overnight, it seemed, they learned about spike proteins, messenger RNA, the various phases of clinical trials, and emergency use authorization. Now, pressed to cover measles outbreaks and claims by powerful vaccine skeptics like Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., journalists are once again grappling with esoteric scientific concepts and public health context. To report on the topic accurately, responsibly, and confidently, see the following advice from a vaccinologist, a pediatrician, a health policy communication expert and a veteran health reporter."
Article

Covering Vaccines: Understand the Science, Be Thoughtful About Framing

Summary:
"During the pandemic, journalists who had never covered public health issues in-depth suddenly found themselves immersed in the complexities of vaccines: Overnight, it seemed, they learned about spike proteins, messenger RNA, the various phases of clinical trials, and emergency use authorization. Now, pressed to cover measles outbreaks and claims by powerful vaccine skeptics like Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., journalists are once again grappling with esoteric scientific concepts and public health context. To report on the topic accurately, responsibly, and confidently, see the following advice from a vaccinologist, a pediatrician, a health policy communication expert and a veteran health reporter."
Author:

Sheila Mulrooney Eldred

Published By:

SciLine

Date:

September 2, 2025

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Article

Covering Science in the Context of Conflict

"War is a science story. War creates untold humanitarian and environmental crises, disrupts research, and destroys scientific infrastructure—yet these critical science stories often remain undertold. To find and tell science stories from regions in turmoil, journalists have to dig for unique angles, gather and verify context about conflicts, track down and protect sources, and, above all, stay safe. To find a science angle, track the destruction of scientific facilities, highlight researchers who are displaced or experiments that are disrupted, or uncover long-term health impacts of warfare."
Article

Covering Science in the Context of Conflict

Summary:
"War is a science story. War creates untold humanitarian and environmental crises, disrupts research, and destroys scientific infrastructure—yet these critical science stories often remain undertold. To find and tell science stories from regions in turmoil, journalists have to dig for unique angles, gather and verify context about conflicts, track down and protect sources, and, above all, stay safe. To find a science angle, track the destruction of scientific facilities, highlight researchers who are displaced or experiments that are disrupted, or uncover long-term health impacts of warfare."
Author:

Claudia López Lloreda

Published By:

The Open Notebook

Date:

November 26, 2024

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Article

How Science Journalists Can Reach A More Bipartisan Audience

"An interview with top Democratic pollster David Shor is relevant for science journalists looking to reach a more bipartisan audience."
Article

How Science Journalists Can Reach A More Bipartisan Audience

Summary:
"An interview with top Democratic pollster David Shor is relevant for science journalists looking to reach a more bipartisan audience."
Author:

Katie Burke

Published By:

Association of Health Care Journalists

Date:

April 18, 2025

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Resource Database / Guide

Resources To Help You Cover Data Centers in Your Community

SciLine

"As data centers are being built in more and more U.S. localities to meet demand for generative AI, they are consuming massive amounts of energy, increasing electricity costs for consumers, and driving debates about land use. A range of data sources and types of expertise can deepen your coverage of these centers and how they will impact your community."
Resource Database / Guide

Resources To Help You Cover Data Centers in Your Community

Summary:
"As data centers are being built in more and more U.S. localities to meet demand for generative AI, they are consuming massive amounts of energy, increasing electricity costs for consumers, and driving debates about land use. A range of data sources and types of expertise can deepen your coverage of these centers and how they will impact your community."
Organization:

SciLine

Date:

August 19, 2025

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Article

Hidden in Plain Sight: Using Public Documents To Report on Elusive Stories

"Public documents can provide troves of key information for your reporting — especially useful when sources are unavailable or unwilling to talk."
Article

Hidden in Plain Sight: Using Public Documents To Report on Elusive Stories

Summary:
"Public documents can provide troves of key information for your reporting — especially useful when sources are unavailable or unwilling to talk."
Author:

Stephanie M. Lee

Published By:

The Open Notebook

Date:

August 12, 2025

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Article

Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

"Artificial Intelligence, and particularly generative AI that produces novel outputs based on user prompts fundamentally impacts science communication. It can assist practitioners in generating content or identifying new ideas and trends, translating and preparing scientific results and publications for different channels and audiences, and enabling interactive exchanges with various user groups. It also comes with pronounced challenges, from errors and 'hallucinations' in AI outputs over new digital divides all the way to ethical and legal concerns. The Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research assessing the role of AI in science communication, discussing communication about AI, communication with AI, the impact of AI technologies on the larger science communication ecosystem and potential theoretical and methodological implications."
Article

Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Summary:
"Artificial Intelligence, and particularly generative AI that produces novel outputs based on user prompts fundamentally impacts science communication. It can assist practitioners in generating content or identifying new ideas and trends, translating and preparing scientific results and publications for different channels and audiences, and enabling interactive exchanges with various user groups. It also comes with pronounced challenges, from errors and 'hallucinations' in AI outputs over new digital divides all the way to ethical and legal concerns. The Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research assessing the role of AI in science communication, discussing communication about AI, communication with AI, the impact of AI technologies on the larger science communication ecosystem and potential theoretical and methodological implications."
Published By:

Journal of Science Communication

Date:

April 14, 2025

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Article

Study Reveals Stark Divide in How Democrats and Republicans Cite Science

"An analysis of 25 years of U.S. policy documents reveals there's very little overlap in the scientific studies that Democrats and Republicans cite in congressional committees and think tanks, deepening concerns over shared facts."
Article

Study Reveals Stark Divide in How Democrats and Republicans Cite Science

Summary:
"An analysis of 25 years of U.S. policy documents reveals there's very little overlap in the scientific studies that Democrats and Republicans cite in congressional committees and think tanks, deepening concerns over shared facts."
Author:

Naseem S. Miller

Published By:

The Journalist's Resource

Date:

July 23, 2025

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Article

The Chilling Effect of DEI Crackdowns in Scientific Publishing

"Trump’s executive orders are affecting how federally funded journals operate. Some researchers have raised alarms. The federal directives have prompted conflict in academic publishing, as scientific journals and authors self-police."
Article

The Chilling Effect of DEI Crackdowns in Scientific Publishing

Summary:
"Trump’s executive orders are affecting how federally funded journals operate. Some researchers have raised alarms. The federal directives have prompted conflict in academic publishing, as scientific journals and authors self-police."
Author:

Peter Andrey Smith

Published By:

Undark

Date:

May 14, 2025

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Article

Story Angles for Covering Defunding of mRNA Vaccine Research

The Association of Health Care Journalists offers a tip sheet of potential story angles to follow regarding cuts to funding for research on mRNA vaccines.
Article

Story Angles for Covering Defunding of mRNA Vaccine Research

Summary:
The Association of Health Care Journalists offers a tip sheet of potential story angles to follow regarding cuts to funding for research on mRNA vaccines.
Author:

Joseph Burns

Published By:

Association of Health Care Journalists

Date:

August 7, 2025

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Training program

Covering Climate Now Training Initiative: The Climate Newsroom

"Covering Climate Now is expanding its newsroom training initiatives to enhance climate coverage through local media across the US. The project, called The Climate Newsroom, builds on the success of The Climate Station local TV training program and our work with more than 500 media partners worldwide to offer free, customized training designed to help your outlet cover climate stories more effectively. The training program spans three one-hour Zoom sessions over three weeks, followed by six months of ongoing support and feedback. Apply here to join our winter cohort. Deadline: January 16, 2026."
Training program

Covering Climate Now Training Initiative: The Climate Newsroom

Summary:
"Covering Climate Now is expanding its newsroom training initiatives to enhance climate coverage through local media across the US. The project, called The Climate Newsroom, builds on the success of The Climate Station local TV training program and our work with more than 500 media partners worldwide to offer free, customized training designed to help your outlet cover climate stories more effectively. The training program spans three one-hour Zoom sessions over three weeks, followed by six months of ongoing support and feedback. Apply here to join our winter cohort. Deadline: January 16, 2026."
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