Abstract

“The public’s right to know and the scientist’s duty to inform are essential in a civilised democracy” – a pompous statement made by Johnstone (2000). The author suspects that, generally speaking, there are two common views among scientists about the media. Most scientists actively dislike the media; some merely mistrust them. Despite that, the author continues to encourage scientists to overcome those views, jump in to the media bath, and talk about their work, their worries, and their hopes. If they fail to do that, others will decide what people should be told about scientific matters.

LA, Johnstone

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 61, Christchurch, 80-81, 2001