When a Chinese scientist revealed in November 2018 that twin babies had been born with genes he had edited using CRISPR gene-editing technology, science reporters jumped on the story. In this Storygram, we depart from our usual format to look closely at not one but two stories, one by Marilynn Marchione for The Associated Press and the other by Antonio Regalado for MIT Technology Review, that reported the CRISPR-babies news in the U.S.
Mainstream media often face challenges when reporting on tribal communities. Indigenous journalist Debra Utacia Krol offers advice on reporting in Indigenous communities and on the intersection of Indigenous cultural practices and Western science. Learn where to find accurate, unbiased information on Native ecological practices for research purposes, identify Indigenous experts who are acknowledged for their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and examine best practices in engaging with occasionally reluctant tribal sources.
Eli Chen reports on scientific research and environmental issues at St. Louis Public Radio. Her work has appeared in or aired on NPR, Marketplace, WHYY’s The Pulse, The New York Times, Science Friday, and Scientific American. Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, her role model growing up was Sue the T. rex at the Field Museum, because everyone should aspire to become an apex predator.
Many science writers today have a beat—a defined area of research that they cover, such as astronomy, energy, the environment, or health. The best beat reporters become the go-to writers in these fields, get scoops, and provide deep dives into new developments. Here’s a look at the tools they use to sort through the chaos and find newsworthy stories.
Foreign journalists in the U.S. find themselves trying to break into a competitive industry while simultaneously navigating the complex rules and extra hurdles of the U.S. immigration system. This journey can be expensive, emotionally taxing, and risky: A single layoff, an uncooperative employer, or just a turn of bad visa luck could force an immigrant journalist to leave the country, as well as the career and networks they built.
Most scientists are excited and eager to share their work with kids. But they’re often intimidated by the idea. It’s the science writer’s job to help them—first by making sure they’re the right fit for the story, and then by helping them craft their message for kids and encouraging them to let their curiosity and passion for science shine through. The result should be engaging science storytelling that treats kids as the intelligent and curious people they are.
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