A critical reflection on media coverage of SARS-CoV-2’s origin

The opening session of CASW’s 2022 New Horizons in Science briefings, “Science + Science Writing: A critical reflection on media coverage of SARS-CoV-2’s origin,” took place in Memphis, Tenn., on Oct. 22, at the ScienceWriters2022 conference.

CASW convened a panel to discuss how journalists have addressed the special challenges of this highly politicized story.  Co-organized by Beijing-based independent science writer Jane Qiu and Jon Cohen, senior correspondent for Science, the panel included Katherine Eban, contributing editor for Vanity Fair, and Benjamin Hurlbut of Arizona State University. Deborah Blum, director of the Knight Science Journalism program at MIT, moderated the discussion.

Owing to technical difficulties, there are both video and audio issues with the recording of this important session, which was generously supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Viewing with closed captions is recommended.

Special thanks to Amber Dance, New Horizons Program Director, and to Dan Vergano and Richard Harris for help reconstructing the session.