We must continue to communicate our research
'Ellen Imellem' is a swing and a miss for DR, which is simply unacceptable, but we cannot allow it to keep us from fulfilling our research communication obligations
Dear staff
Swing and a miss. After the DR's broadcast 'Ellen Imellem' with Professor Anja C. Andersen, researchers, DM (previously known as the Danish Association of Masters and PhDs) and many more have been outraged by DR's approach to disseminating a scientific topic to the young audience.
This has led to an explosion of reactions across media - both the traditional and the social, where the hashtag #videnerfandemeikkeetsynspunkt ( which translates as #knowledgeisnotadamnopinion) has become an online trend as well as an actual t-shirts in show of support for science.
As a result of the broadcast, Anja C. Andersen has had an unusually busy calendar, as the broadcast led to a heated debate in the nation's more serious programs, newspapers and media. At the same time, a formal complaint as been sent to the Danish Press Council.
The case is yet to be resolved, but the researchers want the broadcasts of 'Ellen Imellem' to be withdrawn and removed from DR's website.
It is deeply problematic that the people affected by this case, where extreme views potentially overshadow factual knowledge, are some of the most skilled science communicators.
Anja has spent many years disseminating knowledge in the field of science and is an important ambassador for the STEM area. It would be a great loss if she caved to the unflattering DR programme.
Fortunately, Anja fought back, and already later the same week she participated in debates at the Bloom festival, even more resolved on imparting knowledge.
In all our frustration, it is important to remember the many good alternatives to 'Ellen Imellem' – not least in DR's own range of programmes. This is a stand-alone satirical program way off target.
As researchers, we all have an obligation to disseminate our knowledge to the general public and this case must not deter less media-savvy researchers.
We have many interesting and relevant stories that the media likes to write about - and it is my opinion that both science and news journalists in general are very concerned with having a good relationship with their sources.
This is especially true of the more knowledgable sources, such as scientific researchers, on whom journalists depend in order to be able to tell good credible stories to their readers, listeners and viewers.
I am convinced that this was a one-off, and that we can continue to collaborate professionally with journalists and the media.
Marianne Holmer, dean