Scientific information: problems and responsibilities

Abstract

In industrialized countries the scientific information is a central element in the cultural formation of the civil community, but more often it is delegated to the mass media, not adequately prepared for issues to be addressed. This is often translated into a transfer of opinions, behind which there is no reality. In this way the mass media control the scientific information and convey opinions designed to protect various kinds of political interests and do not lead to an improvement of the mankind. If science has assumed over time an ever greater authoritativeness from a technical point of view, it has lost importance in education and training of the critical conscience of the society: it is not able to provide the community the appropriate tools to make it self-understanding and self-judging regarding various problems and proposed solutions. This situation has also occurred because the same researches (in good or bad faith) often tend to confuse the observed data with their scientific interpretation. And so a theory, made by a politically established team of scientists, becomes a dogma for the society, without any possibility of verification. It is necessary to reverse this trend. The scientist must assume responsibility for his role as trainer and educator of the social community, acting at different levels: in schools, in universities, in the professional field, etc. In this way it will be possible to lay new foundations to set the relationship between society, mass media and politics. A civil society more fully prepared in scientific terms, well-informed about the possible causes and effects of phenomena, will be able to discern the quality of the media information, will be able to ask the policy more effective solutions of problems and the mass media will be forced to became conscientious spokesperson of these social needs. A virtuous circle could be started, in which all the players involved will be made responsible of their role in this process that, beginning from knowledge of the problem, arrives at its solution, with the aim of the common good.