BIOTECH UNIVERSITYThe Dynamics of Covering Biotechnology

Congratulations

You have already won!

What's the catch?

Developing an expertise.

But I don’t like science!

A Literature Review Shows

You are not alone.

Public has little baseline knowledge of biotechnology.

Many stories are explanatory.

“Get to know GMOs.”

And win a trip to China

Two elements for today

1. The dynamics of covering biotechnology.

2. How to create the best possible contest entry.

Part 1. The Second Injury Fund

Comparing covering biotechnology with the reporting on another complicated story subject.

An obscure Missouri Workers’ Compensation Program.

Millions of dollars were involved, and lawyers weren’t talking.

A big story with a lot of $$$.

Scan 3.pdfScan 3.pdf

Comparing coverage of the Second Injury Fund and

Biotechnology

Disassemble big complicated subjects. Break them down into understandable pieces.

Find an example to show how biotechnology is being used and focus on that one element to provide the bigger picture.

Morris Kessler’s injury claims or Forriss Elliott’s legal bills were angles to get us into the bigger story.

More comparisons of Second Injury Fund and Biotechnology Coverage

A biotechnology example can help pique reader interest.

For example a story can be told around GMO labeling on food packages.

Why is the label there? How does the consumer react to it?

Questions like these can help launch your story.

More comparisons of Second Injury Fund and Biotechnology Coverage

Visuals help tell complicated stories. We used graphics to explain how the Second Injury Fund worked. Graphics, charts, diagrams can help explain the complexity of GMOs.

A word of caution here: Make sure there’s a good reason for the graphic and that your not introducing art for art’s sake.

More comparisons of Second Injury Fund and Biotechnology Coverage

Both the Second Injury Fund stories and biotechnology coverage demonstrate the value of good, reliable, authentic news sources to help you tell your story. The more the better.

One source can lead to another. There are many sides to a story (far more than two sides) and the more sources you have the greater likelihood that you’ve captured the essence of your subject.

More comparisons of Second Injury Fund and Biotechnology Coverage

Employ the discipline of verification. Reporters are like scientists—be open to the possibility that your assumptions could be wrong. In journalism as in science the truth of a situation sometimes differs from what’s expected.

Open mindedness is an essential quality. Remember a good story can be told even if your findings differ from your original hypothesis.

A final comparison between Second Injury Fund & Biotechnology

Coverage

Biotechnology reporting, just like the Second Injury Fund, does not lend itself to Twitter feeds.

The stories explaining both have to be comprehensive and clear and well researched.

Science writing requires a careful attention to detail.

Valuable Internet Sources

SPJ’s Journalist’s Toolbox for Science writing: http://www.journaliststoolbox.org/archive/2012/12/science-resources-1.html

The Society of Environmental Journalists: http://www.sej.org

Part 2: Tips for creating a good contest entry.

Become grounded in a general way about biotechnology through a search of the literature.

“Seeds of Doubt” by Michael Specter in the Aug. 25, 2014 New Yorker Magazine.

http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/GMO-experiments-receive-questionable-oversight-5740478.php

More Contest Tips

Types of stories: environmental, business, scientific, political, agricultural, medical, pharmaceutical.

Judging criteria: relevance, accuracy, objectivity, approach, innovation, technical merit, journalistic integrity, style, professionalism, of interest.

Shoot for making your entry professional enough to be published by the New York Times or broadcast by CBS News.

More Contest Tips

Fair, interesting and honest.

Advance knowledge of what biotechnology is and how it is being used.

An effective presentation: Find an interesting angle. Do not be captured by your tools. Print? Broadcast? Multi-media? Make sure your

platform is appropriate for your story. Is your story long enough?

More Contest Tips

Gather enough sources and points of view to make your reports thought-provoking and comprehensive. The more sources you have the more balanced your story will be.

A sloppy presentation detracts from your message. Thus: Make sure your production values are perfect. Your written report is flawlessly edited. Grammar, spellings, identification and AP style.

Past winners & finalists by category

Finalist, Investigative Reporting

1993 Terry Ganey, Michael D. Sorkin and Louis J. Rose St. Louis Post-DispatchFor investigations of corruption by a Missouri attorney general and a St. Louis chief prosecutor.

Conclusion

The biotech experience may help to lead you to important assignments later.

Provides opportunity for career growth and could open the door to your first job.

Demonstrates versatility.

Who knows maybe you can win a trip!

QUESTIONS