Abstract

GOEDE, WOLFGANG C. Agenda of scientific journalism in the second decade of the century: To promote scientific literacy through scientific debates. Signo pensam. [online]. 2011, vol.30, n.59, pp.92-101. ISSN 0120-4823.

Our modern civilization is increasingly run by science and modern technologies. The more sophisticated and sensitive, the more difficult they turn out in the handling. The latest example is the nuclear power plant of Fukushima in Japan; a devastating earthquake along with a tsunami triggered a meltdown. An alarming accident and an overall tendency which makes us ask: Who is deciding what kind of technology mankind needs for its prosperity as well as to secure its future - scientists, business and economic leaders, the politicians or the electorate? Very few people nowadays understand the complicated basics of modern technologies such as genetic engineering, Nano-tech and nuclear technology. Decisions are so called "end of the pipe" decisions. Experts prepare them and in the final stage parliaments pass them, mainly without any citizens' participation at all. That is detrimental to the goals of democracy. This article introduces science debates as a means to foster "start of the pipe" procedures.

Keywords : Democracy; participation; representation; social sustainability; robustness; scientific debate; civil society; two-way-communication; scientific citizenship; empowerment; Journalism, scientific -- 21th century; Science and technology; Science popularization; Journalists.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )