Knowledge-Based Journalism in Politicized Science Debates:Applying Insights from Cultural Theory & Risk Analysis

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Matthew C. NisbetAssociate ProfessorNortheastern University

Journalists as Knowledge Professionals

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o Dimensions of Knowledge-based Journalism:

o Content Knowledge. Specialized, experiential, immersive understanding of subject, beat, discipline guides news judgments, source selection, critical assessment of claims.

o Process Knowledge. Specialized understanding of news media decision-making and effects can be used to guard against biases, choose among storytelling techniques, more effectively engage audiences.

Patterson 2013

Donsbach 2014

Journalists as Public Intellectuals

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o Informed critics, advocates, and explainers.

o Deductive analysis across cases and events, drawing connections, making inferences, and offering judgments.

o Serve in the role of critic, advocate, or activist.

o Personalities, brands, and commodities.o Distinctive voice and personality; shift between detached

analysis and personalization.o Brands that transcend news organization and platforms.o Large social media followings, online spirals of attention.

o Create/disrupt narratives and assumptions.o Influence assumptions and mental models of activists,

funders, journalists, and other elites.

Nisbet 2013; 2014

Fahy 2015

Diffusing Culturally Antagonistic Meanings:Diversifying Policy and Technology Options

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Kahan et al 2007

Pielke 2007

Facilitating Disagreement, Questioning Expertise:A Networked, Critical Approach to Journalism

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Rosen 2012

Andrew Revkin

Doing Knowledge-Based Journalism

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The Dot Earth BlogRevkin as Explainer, Informed Critic and Convener

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Further Readingwww.climateshiftproject.org/studies

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Fahy & Nisbet 2011 Nisbet 2014 Fahy & Nisbet 2015