Say goodbye to science! Once upon a time, because the ratings were dominant, under the banner of science, pseudo-scientific methods were used to achieve fantastic results. But it is such a rugged road that shows that the relationship between scientists and the media is an eternal topic, and it also highlights the tension between science and the media. Although "Approaching Science" came to an abrupt end, our popular science will not stop!

1In May 1995, China promulgated the Decision of the Central Committee of the State Council on Accelerating the Progress of Science and Technology, and put forward the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education for the first time. Subsequently, television became an important means of science and education propaganda. On June 1998, 1, the daily science and education program "Approaching Science" was established and broadcast on CCTV 1. In July, 20001year, Approaching Science was broadcast on CCTV Science and Education Channel.

It should be said that in an era when the channels and means for the public to obtain scientific and technological information are far less abundant than today, "Approaching Science" provides a necessary popular science feast for the public and is a model of TV popular science. Especially as a low-end product of popular science, it fills the gap that popular science TV rarely involves rural audiences.

The development direction is distorted by ratings.

In 2003, Approaching Science was given a yellow card warning because of its low ratings. In March of the following year, the expression of the program changed from reporting scientific problems and explaining scientific events to paying attention to and reporting reasoning stories in life and scientific analysis of hot spots and doubts.

Although the original intention has not changed, this change has attracted all kinds of criticisms, including "under the banner of science, using pseudo-scientific methods to shoot a fantastic effect", "humiliating our IQ with science" and "artificial farce under the guise of science" and so on.

While criticizing the program, perhaps we should think about why such problems appear.

Television has its own operating mechanism. In the process of combining science with TV programs, there are contradictions between scientists and TV practitioners-the types and contents of programs accepted by scientists are often unattractive to viewers in the eyes of TV practitioners; The "scientific products" provided by TV practitioners often make scientists feel unacceptable.

Therefore, "the science that finally appears on TV is the result of bargaining with TV viewers through remote control, including scientists, institutional managers, TV managers and producers, foundations and companies willing to bear the cost of programs." In a word, ratings affect the development direction of TV programs.

After the revision of Approaching Science, the ratings should be improved, but it makes it impossible for us to "approach science" any more.

Where is the way out?

In 20 16, Zhang Tengyue, the host of "Approaching Science", who was hired as China's ambassador for popular science, visited People's Daily during the National Popular Science Day that year. Some of the views he expressed in the interview may make us reflect on the way out for popular science.

He believes that the main function of TV is not to do popular science, but to obtain information and entertainment; The current popular science model also needs some changes, and we can't simply insist on missionary indoctrination.

So, what should China science popularization do after approaching the scientific age? Or how do we need to reflect on the development of popular science in China in the new era?

In recent years, many TV stations and network platforms have participated in the production and broadcasting of some science and technology festivals, and online popular science experts are active in Tik Tok, A Aauto Quicker, Weibo and other video platforms, all of which show the possible breakthrough direction of popular science in the new era to some extent. Then, can our theoretical research keenly capture these phenomena and the laws behind them, and further guide the next work?

The suspension of "Approaching Science" does not mean that the pace of developing popular science by means of television will stagnate. On the contrary, it may stimulate more media people to think and seek ways and means to develop popular science by using television in the new era.

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