Science News Agencies in SciComm: an exploratory index for evaluating and enhancing public interest in mass-distributed press releases

Monique Batista de Oliveira; Mariana Hafiz; Alice Fleerackers; Luiá Bolonha Nunes; Germana Fernandes Barata

doi:10.1590/SciELOPreprints.9799

##article.authors##

Monique Batista de Oliveira Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7642-0971
Mariana Hafiz Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0092-8637
Alice Fleerackers Simon Fraser University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7182-4061
Luiá Bolonha Nunes Fundação para o Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico em Saúde https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4243-4837
Germana Fernandes Barata Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6064-6952

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.9799

Keywords:

Science and media, Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in science communication, Popularization of science and technology

Abstract

Scientific press releases are reaching the public directly through press reproduction or institutional dissemination. Science News Agencies (SNAs) mediate this process, distributing texts to thousands of journalists while also "leaking" them on their websites and social media. This comparative case study examines four SNAs — BORI, SMC UK, AlphaGalileo, and EurekAlert! — regarding their role in circulating public scientific information. Through literature review and principles such as openness and inclusion in science, we converted scholars' concerns into a preliminary index potentially capable of assessing SNAs' public suitability. The SNAPI (Science News Agencies Public Index) suggests a shift from purely public relations content towards serving the public interest, highlighting areas needing attention in SNAs' social function, to be refined in future research. Clear guidelines, links to open scientific articles, and explicit notices on press releases’ purposes are simple yet effective ways to address issues concerning science public relations' pervasiveness in the public sphere.

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Author Biography

Monique Batista de Oliveira, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)

MONIQUE OLIVEIRA is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil, within the VOICES project (The Value of Openness and Inclusion in a Post-pandemic World). She serves as an associated researcher at the Faculty of Public Health, Universidade de São Paulo. With 15 years of experience as a science communication reporter, she also co-directs RedeComCiência, the Brazilian Network of Science Journalists and Communicators. Her research and outreach efforts focus on bridging the gap between science and society, with particular emphasis on Science, Technology and Society (STS) studies, science and health communication, and promoting inclusion and social participation in both fields.
Email: info@moniqueoliveira.org