The Slow Science News Cycle
Reporting the findings of scientific advancements and publishing scientific papers must be one of the most difficult activities in all of journalism. Not only must a journalist possess a basic working knowledge of the science reported on (which is often by its nature cutting edge), but that journalist must also translate such new findings into understandable language and explanations for an audience that is frequently all-too-lay to understand or care about the import of the discovery.
Nonetheless, I can think of no other more important task for professionally-trained journalists to continue to perform in the age of digital media profusion, where any hack–present company included–can hop on a blog and feign journalism. The freedom of choice in consumer preferences and policy choices that ought to be considered for the benefit of humanity are at stake.
The New Print 