July 2026
This “EUSJA Manifesto 2026” is known by all the EUSJA members
to highlight the common challenges of scientific journalists with
the goal of improving working conditions and increasing the
networking. The role of science journalists is important to fight fake
news.
As EUSJA we have this”EUSJA Manifesto” in order to better
involve our members and to adopt a “European Charter of
ethics on how scientific subjects and research are approached in
providing information.
Science (with its theoretical, experimental, technological,
medical-health and social aspects) is part of our culture and its
dissemination requires first and foremost dedicated training.
The relationship with the sources, that is, with the scientists, must
be detached in order to exercise the necessary critical vision,
which must be supported by constant updating.
Furthermore, the sources of consultation must be multiple in
order to make a more precise evaluation.
The Generative dynamics of Social/Media is emphasised by the
crisis of the role of science in the era of post-truth: this fuels the
phenomenon of Fake News. Regulations alone will not solve the
problem.
What is needed first of all is culture, education and awareness
among users and therefore the role of science journalists as
mediators of knowledge has become even more of a priority in
these years of technological evolution and illiteracy of return.
Hereby the “EUSJA Manifesto” main points:
1) knowledge – the role of science journalists is transversal in all
disciplines as mediators of knowledge
2) training – continuous professional updating training is
necessary and should be scheduled annually to improve the
quality of the work of science journalists
3) ethics – the ethical approach of each science journalist is the
basis for fighting fake news and the spread of marketing news
often confused by citizens and not understood as such
4) responsibility – Whoever generates news is responsible for it,
whoever shares other people’s news on the media without
checking the sources also shares the responsibility of spreading
news that has not been personally verified
5) security – Any control mechanism must be based on
transparent, open and iterative dynamics. It cannot be the
discretionary responsibility of the platforms.
6) impartiality – Every science journalist must be impartial in his
reporting and never be led astray by party political opinions
7) no marketing – every scientific journalist must stick to the data
and not be an instrument of marketing policies, therefore every
text written for example must explain the active ingredients of
innovative drugs but not the commercial name of the single
drug
8) gender respect- Every science journalist must keep in mind
“Gender bias” can be translated as “gender-related distortion
effect” or “distortions that have occurred because gender
differences have not been appropriately considered”, or even
“gender-related prejudices”.
9) sources – sources and data must be certain, verifiable and of
quality
10) no alarms – no protagonism or unjustified alarms we need
not to create unfounded expectations on one side or unjustified
alarms on the other about scientific news and possible
discoveries (especially dealing with health-related issues), also
pointing out the existence of necessary and unavoidable times
for further research and experimentation that can last even
years, before a scientific discovery can reach an application and
diffusion in society. We, as scientific journalists, are at the
service of knowledge and doubt: “I know I don’t know”, told
Socrates.