“Metaphors are more than linguistic tools in science communication. They are framing devices—cognitive shortcuts that shape what we see, what we ignore, and what we imagine as possible. And nowhere
View from Beyond the Gene: Why Metaphor Matters in the Story of Cancer
“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
View from Study Reveals Stark Divide in How Democrats and Republicans Cite Science
“Every Wednesday [beginning Aug. 13, 2025], Matter of Fact brings you localizable story ideas, data, advice, and resources to help you cover current news using scientific evidence and expertise.”
View from SciLine Newsletter: Matter of Fact
“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.”
View from The Chilling Effect of DEI Crackdowns in Scientific Publishing
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.
View from Story Angles for Covering Defunding of mRNA Vaccine Research
“For journalists, the most urgent climate disaster is also the trickiest to report on.” This CJR article offers tips on how to report on heat events by visualizing “a chronic,
View from What Makes Heat So Hard To Cover?
“As many U.S. scientists face research funding cuts and tightening press policies from their institutions, stakes can be high for those considering going on the record. SciLine has compiled some
View from When Scientist Sources Are Reluctant To Speak With Reporters
“For any journalist looking to cover science, communicating the findings of researchers and academics clearly and accurately is essential. Learning to leverage sources such as scientific articles, commonly called papers—the
View from 10 Tips for Using Scientific Papers as a Source
“Research papers are at the forefront of the scientific process, and science writers are vital in bridging the gap between researchers and a wider audience. On 26th June, at the
View from Finding the Most Valuable Stories in the Heart of Science Papers
Baron, Nancy, Escape from the Ivory Tower, Island Press, 2010 Blum, Deborah and Mary Knudson, eds., A Field Guide for Science Writers: The Official Guide of the National Association of Science
View from Books on Science Writing
“Eight environmental reporters across the U.S. described how they cover the climate crisis in these days where the media space is overloaded with unverified information and social distrust is growing.
View from Eight Tips From Environmental Reporters in Covering Climate Crisis
“The Journal of Science Communication (JCOM) is a diamond-open-access, peer-reviewed journal focused on science communication. The Journal covers a broad range of issues pertinent to science communication and public engagement
View from Journal of Science Communication
“The Knight Science Journalism Program has been around for over 40 years, so we have a large community of alumni. KSJ reached out to this global group of esteemed science
View from Advice for Future Science Journalists — From Knight Science Journalism @MIT Alumni
Erika Hayasaki writes from the 2024 National Association of Science Writers conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, offering resources and books from one of the panel discussions, plus “seven story structures
View from Science Writing and Story Structures
Diversifying your beat as a freelance health reporter can be financially savvy and help you become a better writer overall.
View from 4 Ways To Diversify Your Beat as a Freelance Health Journalist
“Media coverage of ‘bugs’ is often sensationalistic and centered on fear and disgust. But conservation photographer and writer Danae Wolfe says journalists should be highlighting the importance, beauty and plight
View from From Fear to Fascination — A New Insect Narrative
“This guide is designed for journalists who cover stories about risks in any sector: health, environment, artificial intelligence etc. You will identify the concepts that will help you explain, for
View from Risk Journalism: A Guide to Clear Reporting on Any Topic
“As the 2023-2024 Sharon Begley Science Reporting Fellow at STAT, AHCJ member Deborah Balthazar, a freelance journalist, covered several stories about biotechnology. One recent article delved into how researchers are
View from Placenta-on-a-Chip: How One Reporter Explained the Complex Tech
“Coverage of bird flu should not be limited only to what’s happening in birds, cows and humans. Reporters can also start looking at local angles on environmental contributors to this
View from Covering Bird Flu From an Ecological Angle
“Journalists and public health experts shared 12 strategies for building trust, using careful language and improving coverage of health misinformation during a workshop at the Association of Health Care Journalists’
View from Covering Health Misinformation: What Journalists Need to Rethink
“You want to get an entry-level job in journalism but you don’t know where to start. We’re here to help.” Find tips and advice, and read stories about those who’ve
View from Your First Byline
“Is peer-reviewed research really superior? Why should journalists note in their stories whether studies have been peer reviewed? We explain.”
View from What’s Peer Review? 5 Things You Should Know Before Covering Research
“Meanville, USA, was an average American town. Until one day, a local journalist had to figure the best way to explain how town administrators planned to spend a sudden windfall
View from A Tale of Two Math Terms: An Infographic Story About When To Use Percent Change Vs. Percentage-Point Change
“A recent systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that more exposure to fluoride may be linked to lower intelligence scores in children. We share 11 tips on how to read a
View from How To Read This Study: A Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Fluoride Levels on Children’s IQ Scores
“In this updated piece, we explain the most common types of research papers journalists will encounter, noting their strengths and weaknesses.”
View from White Papers, Working Papers, Preprints, Journal Articles: What’s the Difference?