Date: February 19, 2009 (Thursday)
Time: 12:30 – 14:00 (sandwich lunch from 12:30 –12:45; seminar begins at 12:45)
Venue: Seminar Room 6, LG-1/F, Laboratory Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Abstract:
Mass media such as newspapers is a popular initial source of medical information for medical professionals and the public alike. But how much confidence should readers have in medical information conveyed in this way? This seminar will present findings about the characteristics and reliability of news stories, specifically medical news from the front pages of newspapers, that report on medical research. The findings demonstrate that certain types of medical news can be more reliable than others, although improvements are needed to ensure important information is reported in all types of medical news. Some recommendations to both medical researchers and health reporters on how to improve the quality of medical news will also be presented.

Bio-sketch:
William is a PhD candidate at HKU and Founder of Media Doctor Hong Kong (www.mediadoctor.hk). He is an experienced science journalist and medical publisher, having worked for more than a decade in scientific publishing. He has worked as an associate publisher for Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ltd, an international STM publishing company, and was editor of Asian Medical News, a regional medical newspaper. His articles have also appeared in the South China Morning Post, Reuters, AsiaWeek and various specialty medical publications. He has an MPhil in biochemistry from HKU, an MA in journalism and communication from the University of Wollongong, and an honours degree in biophysics from the University of East Anglia.

Presentation file