Communicating Risk in a Soundbite is a guide for scientists, doctors and engineers preparing for a broadcast interview, and is the result of a meeting between top scientists and journalists in July 2002. They assessed the best ways to explain risks via the broadcast media, and suggested a whole host of examples. It is not meant to be a definitive 'best practice' guide - we simply want to offer a choice of effective ways of answering questions about safety and risk.

Note that the guide is intended for use in situations where risks are perceived to be much higher than they actually are. It is not intended to help cover up significant risks or threats to public health.

The meeting was organised by Catherine Brahic, who also summarised all of the best 'soundbites'.

The full leaflet is available for download as a PDF document. To view this you will need the Acrobat Reader plugin, which can be downloaded by clicking here.

Communicating Risk in a Soundbite (148k)

PARTICIPANTS:

• Dr. David Adam, Journalist, Nature
• Prof Peter Atkins, Professor of Chemistry, Oxford University
• Mr. Robert Beasley, Head of Press, Department of Health
• Dr. Helen Bedford, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Child Health
• Prof. Sir Colin Berry, Professor of Morbid Anatomy, The Royal London Hospital
• Mr. Jon Burch, Executive Secretary, Royal Academy of Engineers
• Mr. Pallab Ghosh, Science Correspondent, BBC
• Mr. Mike Granatt, Head of Government Information and Communication, Cabinet Office
• Mr. Simon Gregor, Head of Press and Media Activities, Public Health Laboratory Services
• Dr. Jeremy Hodge, Manager of Fire and Risk Sciences, Building Research Establishment Ltd
• Ms. Marjorie Monickendam. Public Health Laboratory Services
• Dr. Evan Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, House of Commons
• Dr. Susan Jebb, Nutrition Scientist, MRC Human Nutrition Research
• Dr. Paul Martin, Science Writer and Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge University
• Dr Chloe Sellwood, Scientific Development Division, Public Health Laboratory Services
• Dr. Robert Mitchell, Environmental Surveillance Unit, Public Health Laboratory Services
• Ms. Vivienne Parry, Journalist and Broadcaster
• Mr. Alasdair Philips, Director, Powerwatch
• Dr. Simon Singh, Science Writer and Broadcaster
• Mr. Harry Swan, Risk Management Consultant, Regester Larkin
• Karen Talbot, Head of Press, Food Standards Agency
• Dr. Pat Troop, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health