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Open Access and the Public Domain in Digital Data and Information for Science Proceedings of an International Symposium (2004) / Chapter Skim
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4 Science Communication and Public Policy
Pages 10-14

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From page 10...
... One of the core political challenges facing the world today is the threat to the public domain usage of that knowledge coming from various directions, including parts of the private sector. The central role of science in providing the base of the technology that we use in virtually all aspects of our daily lives, and which applies in both developed and developing countries, raises a question that concerns us all.
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From page 11...
... It is a picture of Agricultural minister John Gummer in May 1990 feeding a hamburger to his somewhat bemused and reluctant daughter, Cordelia. The typical caption that accompanied the picture usually read, "UK Agricultural Minister declares that there was no need to worry, British beef is safe." The accompanying news story quoted Gummer as saying something along the lines of "British cows may be dying of mad cow disease, but I am so confident that it is not a threat to human health that I, a responsible parent, am personally prepared to stuff British beef into my daughter's mouth." The rest, as they say, is history.
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From page 12...
... In particular, how do we as journalists balance our desire to inform both ourselves and our relative constituencies about the scientific perspective on critical issues such as the preceding, with the skepticism that is or should be a central component of our professional responsibility when it comes to interpreting statements that are intended to carry the authority of scientific truth? The issues raised by the BSE crisis in Britain illustrate the critical role played by the media in articulating the relationship between science and society.
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From page 13...
... First, we operate as a free access news and policy-oriented Web site that includes dossiers containing policy briefs and news and opinion articles on key topics of current interest; the news will occasionally include complete access to original scientific papers. Second, we are building regional networks of individuals and institutions that are committed to improved science and technology communication.
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From page 14...
... We maintain a clear editorial identity in what we are doing because we also believe that that is part of the essence of getting this communication across. We hope that this combination provides a valuable tool for helping to increase access to information about science and technology in the developing world.
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Key Terms

  • developing world
  • british beef
  • free access
  • electronic communication
  • relatively conventional

  • public understanding
  • opinion articles
  • control access
  • public domain
  • linear affair

  • genetically modified
  • agricultural minister
  • modified crops
  • information flow
  • politicians involved

  • knowledge coming
  • food chain
  • cover southeast
  • significant images
  • informed opinion

  • conventional journalistic
  • relative constituencies
  • sought advice
  • tropical diseases
  • weekly editorials

  • manifested themselves
  • north africa
  • informed choices
  • core political
  • government handling


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