Is media coverage of nanotechnology's potential risks
growing? If so, who or what is driving articles in national
newspapers and newswires-environmental and consumer organizations,
scientists, law makers, or industrial and financial groups? How do
broadcast journalists decide to cover a nanotechnology story,
especially one about possible risk-benefit tradeoffs? Do radio and
television correspondents face special challenges reporting on a
technology which most Americans do not know about and which is on a
scale invisible to the human eye?
The Wilson Center's Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies will
explore these and other questions at a program featuring National
Public Radio science and technology reporter Nell Greenfieldboyce, and
Lehigh University professor Sharon M. Friedman. Ms. Greenfieldboyce,
who is heard regularly on Morning Edition and All Things Considered,
will offer insights about covering nanotechnology-from government
oversight to nano-cosmetics. Professor Friedman will present her latest
results from tracking seven years of newspaper and wire service
reporting of nanotechnology risks in the United States and United
Kingdom, research she does in collaboration with Brenda P. Egolf of
Lehigh University.
The event and live webcast will take place on Tuesday,
December 18th at 1:00 p.m. in the 5th Floor Conference Room of the
Woodrow Wilson Center (www.wilsoncenter.org/directions).
What: Nanotechnology &
the Media: The Inside Story
Who: Nell Greenfieldboyce, Science
& Technology Reporter, National Public Radio, Sharon M.
Friedman, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the Science and
Environmental Writing Program and Associate Dean, Lehigh
University, Julia A. Moore, Deputy Director, Project on
Emerging Nanotechnologies, Moderator
When: Tuesday, December 18th, 2007, 1:00
- 2:00 p.m. (Lunch available at 12:30p.m.)
Where: Woodrow Wilson International
Center for Scholars, 5th Floor Conference Room. 1300
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004