This is just a quick post to bring up something of interest because of its rarity:
But when it comes to science, standard reportorial practice can become an impediment to journalism's fundamental goal of imparting truth. What we sometimes call "he said-she said" reporting, in which one side's statements are balanced by the other side's contrasting views, may do more to confuse readers than enlighten them.
This is from a 9-9-06 editorial
Balance can get in the way of the truth by
Albany Times Union editor Rex Smith. An editor thinks journalism is supposed to impart
The Truth. Well it's a start. Now if we can just get him to consider that science reporting isn't the only place where this might apply...