Explaining Uncertainty:How Media Covered Scientific Uncertainty Of COVID-19 Vaccine

The presentation and interpretation of scientific uncertainty of the mass media can influence people’s perception of science.Based on the explanatory function of mass media,this study selects the People’s Daily,The Paper,and Doctor Dingxiang’s reports of the COVID-19 vaccine as research objects.It gives deeply analysis and discussion on how Chinese media presents and interprets the scientific uncertainty of the vaccine.As a result,most of the reports present and explain the uncertainty of the COVID-19 vaccine,by the information sources of companies,news media and scientists.In the process of uncertainty communication,the voice of the public has been omitted and the interpreter role of news media has been strengthened.The government avoided showing scientific uncertainty and keep a conservative attitude towards science.In the process of scientific research,there is a lack of scientific uncertainty notification.With the emergence of medical vertical self-media,direct communication between scientists and the public appears.