Providing a Snapshot of Local

Science Journalism
Determining the Extent of How Online Mainstream Science
Editors Prioritize Infotainment Stories over Critical Science
Stories
Science Journalism
“It is a journalistic genre that primarily deals with scientific
achievements and the scientific process itself, scientists’ quests and
difficulties in solving problems.

It aims to question the methods scientists employ as well as their

results and how the media and the public interpret them. It also
investigates and unfolds possible conflicts of interest researchers may
have. –Martin Angler

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2 Types of Science News Stories
Infotainment
Stories that talk about new
scientific discoveries in an
entertaining fashion
Critical Science
Stories that talk about specific strengths and
limitations of Science, questionable research
practices, transparency and accountability in
the science industry, and investigating
wrongdoing and malfeasance.
Dr. Jalees Rehman, 2013 3
Significance
- Little to no research has been conducted on Filipino science journalism.
Most of the time, science stories make it to the front page when they seek
to ‘de-mystify science’, champion the efforts of scientists or popularize a
science topic.

- Based on the author’s experience, local science news stories are framed
by online mainstream newsroom editors to be infotainment stories which
captivate and mesmerize audiences into appreciating SciTech.

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Research question and objectives
RQ: To what extent do online Filipino mainstream science editors prefer
infotainment stories over critical science stories?

Objectives:
(1) to classify local science articles as infotainment stories, critical science stories, a
mix of both, or a new category of their own.
(2) to understand various editors’ perspectives on what local science journalism
means to them, and how their beliefs reflect in the articles that they publish.

Hypothesis: “Online mainstream newsroom editors prioritize infotainment stories

over critical science stories.”

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Theories and concepts
A. Robert Entman’s Framing Theory
- Framing involves the selection of some aspects of a perceived reality and making them more salient
in a communicating text.”

B. Jalees Rehman’s Two Types of Science Journalism

C. Siebert and Peterson’s 6 Roles of the Press

(1) Providing information, discussion, and debate on public affairs;
(2) Enlightening the public
(3) Serving as the watchdog
(4) Servicing the economic system through the medium of advertising;
(5) Providing entertainment;
(6) Maintaining its own financial self-sufficiency
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Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Operational Framework
Methodology
A. Content analysis
- Focuses on the languages and approaches used as indicators of infotainment and
critical science stories.
- Will be conducted on local science news and features stories from January 2015 to
January 2018, published by the following media outlets: GMA News Online,
Business Mirror, Rappler, Inquirer and Philippine Star

B. Structured Interviews
- Focuses on the prevailing beliefs and ideologies imbibed by online mainstream
newsroom editors from the abovementioned media outlets, and what they think of
their roles in the production of local science news and features stories.
Infotainment vs Critical Science
Content analysis of GMA News Online articles in the month of January
2015

70 % infotainment; 7 % critical science; 19 % no category 12