Newsworthiness in Science : A Content Analysis of Science News in Swedish Prime Time Television 2009-2011

Abstract: Background: Science journalism is essential for keeping citizens of democracies informed and educated, this is part of the public service concept. However, some authors assume much arbitrariness of selectivity mark science news as a peculiar journalistic genre. This study investigates how science news are valued alongside general news in swedish public service programme Rapport. Method: The science features from two years of prime time broadcasts of Rapport was analyzed quantitatively by means of content analysis. Results: Studies with some connection to Sweden, a ”human angle”, emphasizing health risk, seems most likely to be covered. Conclusions: Put into context, the results was interpreted as invalid in some respects that support the conjecture of the peculiar nature of science news. The findings therefore suggest that news value theory needs special revision to account for newsworthiness in science.