‘Science and the Media’ panel includes NBC’s Bazelle and CBS’ Burkholder

NBC News chief science and health correspondent Robert Bazell and “CBS Evening News” medical and health producer Amy Burkholder will be the featured panelists at a public forum on “Science and the Media” at 8:15 a.m. April 5 at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

NBC's Robert Bazell

Many Americans use the media as their sole source for information on new health and scientific discoveries, said Baker Institute fellow Kirstin Matthews, who is organizing the program. Because communication between scientists and journalists is crucial for the public to understand medical research, the panel will discuss the best ways to enhance interaction between the media and scientists in the medical field and to increase public understanding of what can be very complex research, policy and discoveries. The panel will also talk about what scientists and journalists need to learn about each other to improve medical journalism. Dr. Ronald DePinho, president of MD Anderson Cancer Center, will moderate the discussion.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is available here, where the event will also be webcast.