1. Are you satisfied with the level of media coverage
on news related to biotechnology?
No - 36 votes (88%)
Sometimes - 0 votes (0%)
2.
Would you like newspapers to feature more articles on biotechnology?
Yes - 48 votes (88%)
No - 4 votes (7%)
Maybe - 3 votes (5%)
Total votes - 55
3. Do you think journalists are well versed in the area of biotechnology?
Yes - 11 votes (23%)
No - 31 votes (67%)
Maybe - 3 votes (6%)
Don't know - 2 votes (4%)
Total votes - 47
4.
Do you think there is a communication barrier between scientists and journalists?
Yes - 33 votes (63%)
No -15 votes (29%)
Maybe - 1 votes (2%)
Don't know - 3 votes (6%)
Total votes - 52
Readers were gauged regarding their approval of the coverage given by
the mass media towards the field of biotechnology. Of the 41 readers gauged,
only 5 were happy about the coverage given, while 36 out of 41 believed
that the coverage was insufficient. In fact, 87% of readers would like
newspapers to feature more biotechnology articles in the newspaper in
contrast to 13% who believed otherwise. With regards to media literacy
in the area of biotechnology, only 23% believed that the media was well-versed
in the intricate mechanisms of the industry, in contrast to the 66% who
believed that the media could do better, while 6% professed the possibility
of a well-versed media. It is also generally believed among the readers
polled that there is a barrier between scientists and journalists with
33 out of 52 polled, believing that the barrier exists, while a further
15 votes believed otherwise.
