SciDev.net reporter Elmien Wolvaardt uncovers why overly simplistic science reporting is so pervasive, noting that the media narrowly focus on breakthroughs, which don’t tell the whole story of scientific steps and processes. He interviewed one professor of science journalism who estimated “only one in 50 reported scientific breakthroughs is a real breakthrough.” Wolvaard recommends that scientists and journalists should make a better effort to portray the reality of the scientific process — warts and all.