Male voices dominated South African COVID reporting: that has to change
THE onset of the COVID pandemic and the many months of uncertainty, anxiety and push for scientific breakthroughs sent journalists all over the world on the hunt for expert voices. They wanted sources who could explain to audiences what was happening and why. Authors MARINA JOUBERT, Science Communication Researcher, Stellenbosch University LARS GUENTHER, Postdoc in Science Communication at University of Hamburg; Extraordinary Associate Professor at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch University LILI RADEMAN, PhD candidate in Science and Technology Studies, Stellenbosch University Research has shown that when journalists look for sources, they often focus on already visible – and accessible – experts…