Talk:Science journalism/draft rewrite

Introduction
Science journalism is a specialty devoted to conveying information about new developments in science to the public, through newspapers, magazines, television or radio programs, blogs, websites, podcasts, or other media. The field typically involves conveying information about new research by scientists, gathered and written or otherwise communicated by journalists, for the benefit of the public.

Science writers' organizations
''(work in progress, suggestions welcome. -- DLC (talk) 01:41, 8 May 2012 (UTC)) ''

For more than 75 years, science journalists have been forming organizations both in the United States and around the world, to share information and resources and, as the National Association of Science Writers (NASW) says on its website, "to improve their craft and encourage conditions that promote good science writing."

The NASW is one of the oldest and largest such organizations, formed in 1934 by a group of science journalists in New York. It now claims 2,150 members plus more than 200 student members. In addition to science journalists, its membership also includes those working in science public relations and science journalism education. Among other nationwide organizations, there are also some devoted to specific areas, such as the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA), with over 5,000 members, and the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ), with about 1,500 members.

In the United States, there are several regional organizations of science journalists. Among the more active are the D.C. Science Writers Association (DCSWA), the New England Science Writers (NESW), the Northwest Science Writers Association (NSWA), the Northern California Science Writers Association (NCSWA), and the Science Writers in New York (SWINY).

Around the world, there are regional groups such as the African Federation of Science Writers and the Arab Science Journalists association, and at least three dozen national organizations, including the Association of British Science Writers, and groups in China, Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, Nigeria, and Australia, among the many.

Internationally, the International Science Writers' Association, formed in 1967, is the oldest, and claims members in 26 countries. There is also an umbrella organization (an "association of associations"), the World Federation of Science Journalists, which represents 40 national, international and regional organizations around the world.

Major annual prizes and award programs
(Blurb about general prizes that contain science-y winners -- Pulitzers for newspaper, magazine, tv & radio, online -- and explain these are science specific)


 * The National Association of Science Writers Science in Society Journalism Awards recognize investigative or interpretive pieces about the sciences and their impact on society. The pieces must be written or spoken in English, intended for the lay person, and first published or broadcast in North America. NASW co-sponsors with the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW) the Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award for Young Science Journalists for print and online work by journalists younger than age 30.


 * The Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting honors a writer for "a body of work published or broadcast within the last five years which ... has made a profound and lasting contribution to public awareness and understanding of critical advances in medical science and their impact on human health and well-being."


 * The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognize outstanding reporting for a general audience and honor individuals (rather than institutions, publishers or employers) for their coverage of the sciences, engineering and mathematics and for fostering a better understanding of science by the public. Stories must be published within the United States and by a U.S. media outlet.

Sundeblue (talk) 23:58, 10 June 2012 (UTC)
 * Professional scientists, bloggers and student journalists based in the UK or the Republic of Ireland -- but not professional journalists and authors who write for money -- are eligible for the Wellcome Trust Science Writing Prize, which looks for pieces that encourage the general public to consider, question and debate the key issues in science and society.

DLC-- I will work on a draft of this section.

Commentary and analysis about science writing
''(Knight tracker, Science Writers, any other blogs or mags?) ''

role in science

 * mandates or suggestions from granting agencies (explicit from NSF; suggested from NIH)
 * studies that show impact in science citations, etc. (Phillips, USCD)

The embargo system
''(distinctive and somewhat problematic in the context of journalism)(but, is this too inside-baseball for a general encyclopedia entry? -- DC) ''

print media

 * science magazines
 * newspaper science sections

broadcast
TV and radio programs, podcasts

Notable science journalists

 * Natalie Angier, a science journalist for The New York Times
 * Isaac Asimov
 * Sandra Blakeslee
 * Stewart Brand
 * Shannon Brownlee
 * Deborah Byrd, of the Earth & Sky radio series
 * Nigel Calder
 * Marcus Chown
 * Paul de Kruif
 * Claudia Dreifus
 * David Ewing Duncan (website, blog)
 * Gregg Easterbrook
 * Kitty Ferguson
 * Timothy Ferris, science writer, most often on astronomical topics
 * Laurie Garrett
 * Malcolm Gladwell
 * James Gleick
 * Ben Goldacre
 * Gina Kolata
 * Robert Kunzig
 * William L. Laurence
 * Duncan Lunan
 * Bob McDonald, Canadian science journalist, host of Quirks & Quarks
 * John McPhee
 * Dennis Overbye of The New York Times
 * David Perlman
 * David Quammen, science, nature and travel writer
 * Matt Ridley (website)
 * Carl Sagan
 * Dava Sobel
 * Walter Sullivan
 * Neil deGrasse Tyson
 * John Noble Wilford
 * Ed Yong
 * Carl Zimmer (website, blog)