Science Communication and Media: A Review on Contents of Internet News Sites for Domestic Vaccine

Abstract

Science communication can be defined as aim-oriented exchange of information about science between related parties and aims to spread science and scientific culture. When science communication is considered at the macro-social level, media plays a significant role in ensuring the communication between scientists, science institutions and society. The functions of media in social communication and the fact that it is the main source of information in accessing science require the examination of science communication activities which carried out through media. This study has focused on science communication activities carried out the media. News that are about the domestic vaccine developed for Covid 19 on Turkey’s the most visited internet news sites have been examined by conducting content analysis technique. In the research, it has been aimed to reveal the science communication practices of internet news sites by determining the purposes of science communication and the themes and contents of news. According the findings obtained from research, explanation and information themes are used extensively in science communication news. The aims of informing, legitimizing, forming public opinion and directing to be vaccined have been the most focused science communication purposes. It has also been observed that the aims of science communication and the themes of news differ according to time variable.