The role of spanish journalists in the communication of data science in online media

Authors

Keywords:

Data Science; Big Data; Artificial intelligence; Journalists; Interviews; Scientific communication.

Abstract

Data science, which includes big data and artificial intelligence, is present in many of the daily activities of our society, but it weighs a lack of citizen knowledge and a lack of trust. Improving the scientific culture that exists about these disciplines can mean a great advance in their understanding and their responsible incorporation into society. The public communication of this discipline is not very widespread, so the present work aims to study the role of journalists in the communication of data science, big data and artificial intelligence in Spain, identifying the understanding current they present and their usual practices. The methodology adopts a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach, based on personal and reconstructive interviews to understand the challenges and deficiencies that this group faces when reporting on data science. The results show relatively young journalists, with a shortage of women, attending to sources focused on the professional sector and to a lesser extent the academic one, with professional interest in the subject and in showing the impact it can have on society. The conclusions of this analysis will help journalists to improve their way of communicating science, and the media to improve their interest in these contents.

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Author Biography

Patricia Sánchez-Holgado, University of Salamanca

Patricia Sánchez-Holgado is a researcher in the Department of Sociology and Communication at the University of Salamanca (Spain) and a member of the Observatory of Audiovisual Contents. Degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the Complutense University of Madrid. Postgraduate degree in Big Data and Master in Teacher Training from the Pontifical University of Salamanca, in addition to Master in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, with a specialty in Scientific Culture, from the University of Oviedo. Her professional experience spans almost twenty years working in companies in the communication and advertising sector. Her lines of research focus on scientific communication and dissemination, the adoption and use of technologies, the social perception of science, and gender and equality studies.

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Published

2021-01-29

How to Cite

Sánchez-Holgado, P., Arcila-Calderón, C., & Frías-Vázquez, M. (2021). The role of spanish journalists in the communication of data science in online media. Revista Prisma Social, (32), 344–375. Retrieved from https://revistaprismasocial.es/article/view/3901

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