The Framing of Science News

For many people, the media are the primary source of information about (ocean)science. What appears in the news, and how it is presented, thereby shapes which topics gain public attention and how scientific knowledge is understood and valued. This dissertation examines why peer-reviewed research appears in newspapers, how it is presented, and the roles scientists, press officers, and journalists play in this process.

The role of press releases
Press releases play a central role in determining which studies reach the news and how they are framed. They often place scientists at the centre of the story, while the broader societal context, important for raising awareness of ocean issues, is frequently absent. These press releases are effective in generating media attention, particularly when they highlight negative findings or are based on publications in prestigious journals. Including information about the scientific process, such as methods and limitations, does not reduce the news value of research.

Press releases strongly shape newspaper content. Articles often reproduce parts of press releases verbatim and include scientific details like methods or limitations more frequently when these are present in the press release. Additionally, press release framing is often copied while additional context is rarely added, and findings are seldom validated by external experts. Interviews show that framing is created by the interaction between scientists, press officers and journalists, in which news values, normative motivations and institutional context all shape how science eventually reaches the public.

Vonk, A 2026, ‘The Framing of Science News : Scientists, Communication Officers and Journalists as Intermediaries in Newspaper Coverage of Ocean Research’, Doctor of Philosophy, Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht. doi.org/10.33540/3646