Can journalistic "false balance" distort public perception of consensus in expert opinion?

On the Limits of Expert Credibility: Theory and an Application to Climate Change

I present a model in which a voter cannot learn the consensus opinion of experts. In the model a journalist reports on an unknown state to a voter who makes a policy decision. The journalist’s report consists of the opinion of a single neutral expert and a rejoinder by an opposition party. At some cost, the party may hire a credible expert to comment on its behalf. The more uniform is expert op...

Risk Perception of Pregnancy Promotes Disapproval ofGestational Surrogacy: Analysis of a Nationally Representative Opinion Survey in Japan

Opinion: Conducting science in the public eye

Doing science is usually hidden behinds the wall of the lab and universities, and thus immune from immediate public scrutiny. The current COVID-19 pandemic has dragged the scientific process and its fruits in the public eye. In this short piece, I attempt to discuss the effect of conducting science in the public eye on the public’s perception of science and scientists.

Ramadan fasting: Evidence or expert opinion? Results of preliminary studies

Each year, over a billion Muslims fast worldwide during the month of Ramadan.  Through this religious practice, not only will one have spiritual growth, but can improve his/her diet, which is of pivotal importance in this month. Conversely, the available evidence regarding the health benefits of Ramadan fasting is scarce and highly contentious. Although Islam exempts patients from fasting, many...

Food nanotechnology in the news. Coverage patterns and thematic emphases during the last decade.

For novel issues like food nanotechnology, media can play an important role in shaping the awareness and mental associations that underlie public opinion. Seeking to complement recent research exploring public opinion formation about food nanotechnology, this study tracks the evolution of U.S. newspaper coverage of food nanotechnology, identifying the descriptive and thematic traits that have c...