Beyond misalignment of science in the news and in schools

Almost 40 years ago, the American astronomer, planetary scientist, and science communicator, Carl Sagan, reflected on the role of mass media in science communication. “How much science and technology do you see in the mass media? Every newspaper has a daily astrology column. How many have even a weekly science column?” he asked, lamenting the limited science coverage in newspapers. The world has since advanced to a new technological age in which social media, not just newspapers, increasingly act as sources of news, and science journalism has become a considerable platform in communicating scientific research.