Journalism's Impact on Public Trust in Science
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type of event:
Workshop & Discussion
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place:
Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser-Allee 63, 10435 Berlin
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date:
25.02.25
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time:
10:00-19:45
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Please contact trust-in-science@itas.kit.edu if you have any questions.
Preliminary Program
| 10:00 - 10:15 AM |
Presented by: Dana Mahr, Social Scientist, ITAS, KIT Dana Mahr will open the event by presenting insights from the IANUS project and findings from recent media panels on the evolving role of science journalism in fostering public trust. |
| 10:15 - 10:45 AM |
Keynote Presentation: Uncovering Fraud and Building Trust – The Role of Investigative Journalism in Safeguarding Public Confidence in Science Keynote Presenter: Brian Deer, Investigative Journalist Brian Deer will discuss his groundbreaking investigation into the fraudulent vaccine claims of Andrew Wakefield, illustrating the role of investigative journalism in combating misinformation and protecting public health. The 25-minute presentation will cover how journalistic integrity can help maintain public trust in science, followed by a 20-minute discussion on the media’s responsibilities in today’s misinformation landscape. |
| 10:45 - 12:00 PM |
Session 1: Journalism and Science – Building a Collaborative Pathway Moderator: Katja Thorwarth, Political Journalist This session will delve into the collaborative potential between journalists and scientists, focusing on how such partnerships can improve public understanding of complex scientific topics. The discussion will highlight strategies for enhancing science communication and current unfavourable developments. |
| 12:00 - 12:20 PM | Coffee Break |
| 12:20 - 1:35 PM |
Session 2: Media Representation and Shaping Public Perception Moderator: Dana Mahr, Social Scientist, ITAS, KIT Keynote Presenter: Annika Joeres, Investigative Journalist, Correctiv.org (invited) Annika Joeres will share her experiences in climate journalism, focusing on how investigative reporting addresses misinformation and influences public perception on environmental issues, such as climate change |
| 1:35 - 2:30 PM |
Lunch Break An opportunity for attendees to network, exchange ideas, and discuss insights from the morning sessions. |
| 2:30 - 2:45 PM |
Impulse Presentation: Wissenschaft, Journalismus und Vertrauen in die Wissenschaft nach der Wahl in Deutschland Referent: Stephan Anpalagan, Director, Demokratie in Arbeit |
| 2:45 - 3:30 PM |
Keynote Presentation and Discussion: Antisemitism and Disinformation Moderator: Charlotte Bruns, Social Scientist, EUR Keynote Presenter: Tina Hartmann, Occupational Literary Studies Tina Hartmann will give a 25-minute presentation on the effects of antisemitic disinformation on public discourse and science journalism, followed by a 30-minute audience discussion on ethical responses for journalists in the face of disinformation. |
| 3:30 - 4:30 PM |
Session 3: Expertise, Authority, and Combating Misinformation Moderator: Julija Baniukevič, Lithuanian Science Council Keynote Presenter: Silvio Duwe, Reporter ARD Kontraste This session will examine the importance of journalistic integrity and ethical responsibility in combating misinformation, focusing on strategies to uphold credibility in a complex media environment. |
| 4:30 - 5:00 PM |
Special Presentation: Trust in AI – A Tool for Political Discourse Analysis Presented by: Eva Paraschou and Maria Michali, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece This presentation will showcase the development of an LLM-driven tool used during the 2023 Greek elections. The tool detects polarization, populism, and sentiment in political speeches and was evaluated using a human-in-the-loop approach. A discussion will follow. |
| 5:00 - 6:30 PM | Extended Break |
| 6:30 - 7:30 PM |
Closing Panel: Public Trust in Science – Where Do We Stand in 2025? Panelists (preliminary): Rebecca Richter (lawyer with expertise in fake news), Hub Zwart (Philosopher, Erasmus University Rotterdam), Alfonso Pantisano (Civil Rights Activist and Spokesperson), Andrej Reisin (Head of “funk” and contributor to Übermedien, Tagesschau and Zapp) Moderator: Steffi Friedrichs, Founder of AcumenIST The closing panel will examine science journalism's crucial role in sustaining public trust, particularly in an era of widespread misinformation and societal divides. Panelists will discuss actionable strategies for reinforcing public trust in science through accurate reporting and ethical journalism, synthesizing key takeaways for science communication in diverse societal contexts. |
| 7:30 - 7:45 PM |
Closing Remarks Presented by: Dana Mahr Dana Mahr will conclude the program by summarizing key insights and lessons learned from the day’s discussions, emphasizing takeaways for strengthening public trust in science and the media. |
Note: By registering, you agree to KIT-ITAS storing and processing your entered data for the purpose of organizing the event and related scientific evaluation. The data will be deleted after the end of the events and will not be shared with third parties. If you want your data to be deleted earlier please contact Meike Hebich (meike.hebich∂kit.edu).
About the IANUS Project
The IANUS Project (Inspiring and Anchoring Trust in Science) is a European initiative focused on cultivating public trust in science through extensive research, community engagement, and co-creation practices. The project addresses societal concerns about science and its role in decision-making, working to bridge gaps by making scientific processes more inclusive, transparent, and aligned with public values. This initiative responds to the current climate of skepticism around science by fostering “warranted trust,” which distinguishes between valid trust and unwarranted doubt, and equips the public with tools to engage with scientific developments critically.
Led by Erasmus University Rotterdam, IANUS collaborates with prominent institutions across Europe, including Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands), University of Tartu (Estonia), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany), Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (Germany), Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), London School of Economics and Political Science (UK), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), Research Council of Lithuania, and the consulting firm AcumenIST. These institutions work together to promote strategies for open science and transparent research, directly involving citizens and stakeholders in the development and dissemination of scientific knowledge.
Key objectives include the creation of a conceptual framework to understand trust dynamics, active dialogue platforms to connect scientists and the public, and policy recommendations for improving science communication and ethical practices in research. By involving diverse perspectives, IANUS strives to ensure that scientific research is relevant, ethical, and capable of addressing complex societal challenges.
For more details on the project’s activities and developments, you can visit the IANUS Project's official site at trustinscience.eu
Key Insights from the IANUS Media Panels
The media panels serve as a collaborative platform for discussing the complex dynamics at play in science communication and science journalism. Through events in various European locations, including Germany, Lithuania and Italy, IANUS explores how trust in scientific information is shaped, challenged and maintained. Each panel addresses key issues such as the impact of cultural context on science communication, the role of digital and social media in spreading both information and misinformation, and the importance of institutional transparency and integrity.
In Lithuania, for example, the IANUS media panel highlighted the unique regional challenges of institutional trust and historical skepticism that continue to influence public perceptions of science today. The event underscored how cultural history and recent societal changes contribute to different levels of public engagement with scientific information, and provided valuable insights into how science journalism might adapt its approaches to better resonate with different audiences.
The panel series also highlights the critical role of journalists in navigating the ethical complexities of reporting, especially in the face of widespread misinformation. By exploring methods to enhance the credibility of scientific information, the IANUS Project and its media panels aim to empower science communicators and journalists to respond effectively to the demands of a rapidly evolving media landscape.
For more information about the IANUS Project and to read the latest findings from the Media Panels, please visit the project's official Media Panels website.