Journalism as Science’s Watchdog: The Vibrancy and Vulnerability of an Increasingly Diverse Ecosystem

Abstract

Watchdog science journalism, broadly understood, investigates, exposes, and warns society of the misuses and abuses of science methods, processes, outcomes, and authority by those practicing, funding, and/or using science in the public domain. Amid rising threats to research integrity, this thematic issue provides a first comprehensive set of empirical and conceptual insights into how this type of journalism is becoming both vibrant and vulnerable. It reveals that watchdog science journalism is recognized as essential by members of the public and by journalists alike and is empowered by an increasingly diverse set of actors, both within and beyond traditional journalism. Yet, ongoing challenges within and beyond the news industry are putting pressure on this role, undermining journalists’ capacity to effectively scrutinize and sound the alarm about research integrity problems that put the public interest at risk.