Science on TV: forms and reception of science programmes on French television

Abstract

We report a study of the reception by adults of science programmes broadcast on French television. Long, semi-directive interviews were carried out during which a number of short fragments of the programmes were shown. This research, which is part of a wider study (including children, scientists and professionals involved in the production of such programmes), shows that there are not one but several, very different, readings of science programmes. That implies that, from the point of view of the public, there is no unique, `ideal' form for a science programme and that, indeed, the term `popularization of science' can have several very different meanings.