Science journalism – one of the most labour-intensive (and, therefore, expensive) specialized beats – has always been at high risk of being under-serviced in news organizations.The current wave of industry cutbacks isn’t boding well for its future. CNN’s decision to axe its entire science unit is the latest example.

Science journalism – one of the most labour-intensive (and, therefore, expensive) specialized beats – has always been at high risk of being under-serviced in news organizations.The current wave of industry cutbacks isn’t boding well for its future. CNN’s decision to axe its entire science unit is the latest example. This has scientists worried how best to ensure public access to quality journalism on hot topics like climate or health. 

 

With commercial news organizations failing to support the science writers on full-time beats, is it time for journalists to join the legions of artists and musicians and establish patrons? 

 

Leonard Witt thinks so. The journalism professor and chief blogger at the Public Journalism Network thinks science might be the topic to test his idea of Representative Journalism. The concept, still under development, suggests  communities of citizens might become organized to support niches of high-quality, ethically-sound journalism that service democratic society.  Witt’s idea would link a journalist to these communities in a patronage model of funding and is eager to explore whether these alternative funding models for quality journalism can work.