INQ-110 | Science in the News

Full Title: Truth or Hype: Science in the News

Topic Description:

Climate change. Energy. Alternative medicine. Many of today’s hottest issues stand at the interface of science and public policy. Most citizens learn about these complex issues through popular media coverage. But do newspapers, magazines, documentaries, blogs, etc. present an accurate view of the issues? What are the real issues? How do we figure this out? How do we determine if reporting is accurate or fair? Are these the same thing? Who should we trust? What does it mean to be an “expert”? We will explore the science behind controversial issues and evaluate how complicated scientific issues are represented in the media.

Counts as Global? No

Topic Approved: April 2013