Tips for working with the media
At the Science Media Centre, helping journalists do a better job of covering science is at the core of what we do. But we have found that the key to quality media reporting on science is the ability of scientists to communicate effectively.
Most journalists have a simple aim when they interview an expert – to get a clear explanation of new research or informed commentary on a breaking news story. The better you as a scientist can meet this need, the better the results will be when the story is published.
The Desk Guide for Scientists: Working with Media can be downloaded as a PDF and provides a helpful tips and advice on understanding what journalists are looking for,giving media interviews and communicating your research.
Resources for Pacific media
Tips for covering science
Covering science can be challenging, but we’ve put together a handy guide with practical tips and advice for busy journalists that can be downloaded as a PDF.
On environment, health, tech and social issues, we’re here to help reporters navigate conflicting views and focus on the evidence. This guide covers peer review and research studies, finding experts, responsible reporting on risk and uncertainty, misinformation and best practice reporting on science issues.
Media queries
The Science Media Centre is available to help connect you with researchers for your stories – please feel free to contact us via email or our 24/7 media hotline: +64 27 333 3000.
Since 2024, the New Zealand Science Media Centre has delivered media training workshops for Pacific researchers in partnership with the Pacific Academy of Sciences, University of the South Pacific (USP), Fofonga for Pacific Research Excellence and AUT University.
We can recommend researchers in the region who understand local context and have experience being interviewed across a wide range of topics, including environmental, social, and health research.
Scimex
In collaboration with the Australian Science Media Centre, we run Scimex.org – a hub for science- and research-related news.
You can register to access embargoed research and receive email updates: you are able to filter your interests based on region and topic. See all Pacific-related stories on Scimex here.
Expert Reactions and Media Briefings
The SMC regularly gathers expert reactions on breaking news and just-published research, which help offer essential context to reporters covering the topic.
Here are previous Pacific-focussed expert reactions and media briefings we’ve gathered. As a journalist, you can register to receive expert reactions by email that are filtered based on your interests and region.
Reporters are always free to use these quotes within their stories, and we provide contact details for those who want to interview an expert themselves.