From Peter Haigh
Dan Bleicher suggests that by always adhering to the truth, scientists will win public support (3 July, p 29). Absolute confidence as to where the truth lies would be wonderful, but most scientists understand that results always come with uncertainty. Thus the public-relations techniques that Bleicher disapproves of are sometimes necessary in communicating results to the general public, as the concept of confidence levels is often lacking from the public’s paradigm.
PR professionals may be as capable of truth as scientists, but they understand better that the way the message is delivered has an impact on how it is interpreted.
Bellevue Heights, South Australia
