Wissenschaftsjournalismus im Wissenstransfer. Ist der Wissenschaftsjournalismus das Sprachrohr der Wissenschaft?

Contrary to communications scientist Kepplinger’s thesis that public opinion can be significantly influenced by journalism, the author maintains that this influence is not very substantial. Scientific journalism is shown to be relevant in three different ways: the information it conveys may simply be useful, or it may constitute a relevant aspect of our culture, or it may play its par t in decisionmaking. Finally, the author sums up the tasks and gives characteristics of good scientific journalism.