Leopoldina: ‘fund journalism like research’

Science journalism should be funded in the same way as research, Germany’s national science academy has said.

The Leopoldina published recommendations on the use of social media for science communication on 28 June. In a section aimed at politicians, it said that foundations should be set up to fund science journalism based on assessment by juries.

This could lead to an improvement in the quality of science journalism, particularly on publicly funded TV and radio, the academy said. Journalists and their associations would participate directly in this system, just as academics and universities participate in the research funding system.