"Beware scientific fundamentalism"

David Dickson has an editorial in SciDev.Net on the occasion of the 6^th World Conference of Science Journalists, which takes place in London this week. He makes the important point that not only are science writers supposed to convey the news of scientific discoveries and their implications in clear, understandable ways matched to their audiences capabilities and interests, but they should keep from treating the writings of scientists as if they were sacred texts. Science writers should help the public understand when results are tentative, when interpretations exceed the limits of credibility, and when scientists are acting as citizens rather than as expert witnesses.

I would add to his useful discussion, that we depend on science writers to tell us when outside political or economic processes are interfering with science, and when our society is failing to provide scientific institutions the resources that are appropriate to their needs and our aspirations.