Thread. A few thoughts from me following the fabulous @chrisdc77 thread on science and press releases. (for context) I run a Press Office but was once a scientist so here goes... 1/n
In my work we run things so that scientists 'own' their press releases. It is their work, they put the long hours in, they care about it, they are best placed to help engage others with it 2/n
...but, and it's a big but...scientists must seek out, listen to, and incorporate professional advice and assistance from their Communications teams and Press Office staff. We're experts too! 3/n
...I'm not happy until the science team, the Press Office, and senior staff have 'signed' off a press release. It's a team effort. Sometimes compromises need to be made, diplomacy carried out, and numerous versions written, but, it's always possible to get an agreed text. 4/n
This approach is fine for institution led press releases about work led by your scientists. However things can get interesting when press releases are issued by others e.g. Journal publishers, Scientific Societies, other authors's institutions, or funders 5/n
...in these cases the 'ownership' by the lead scientist, or science team, can easily get lost. Mixed messages arise which lead to problems. I always urge my lead/senior authors to keep a very close watch on what the other 'stakeholders' in their work are doing. 6/n
In theory this should be an additive and positive process, but on occasion, other (understandable) agendas can cause issues. I remind scientists it's their work, they did it, and they need to put the time in to 'own' the way it is communicated 7/n
However with 'ownership' comes responsibility. I won't stand for hype. I will allow existing wider context in a press release, but I will not allow inclusion of new scientific findings that are not in the underlying paper, or exaggeration of findings that are in the paper. 8/n
To put it simply, in the press releases I help put together "Scientists speak for themselves, and stick to their science." This is important to maintain trust and credibility. Plus it fulfils a wider societal need for science to act in an open, honest and transparent manner. 9/n
...and finally if I had to give just one piece of advice for scientists dealing with the media... "Please don't tell journalists how to do their jobs. Would you accept it the other way round? Science and journalism can and should work together but they are not the same." 10/10
