Science and scientific advances are everywhere in the media. But how easy is it to report on controversial subjects, such as scientific advances, in a balanced way? Do personal opinions influence the final report?

“You choose the news”, a new computer game created by SCRI scientist Eleanor Gilroy, lets the public create their own news report. The game will be premiered at Dundee’s Sensation Science Centre on Sunday 8 and Monday 9 March 2009 as part of the Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) events.

Link to the You choose the news game page

The aim of the game is to create an unbiased TV news item about the impending EU chemical pesticide ban and the potential effects and solutions to this proposal. By selecting from a series of short video clips players can produce their own news item which, when completed will tell players just how biased, or not, their news clip is.

The game is designed to make the public think about the effects of the European Union (EU) ban on many currently important chemical sprays used in farming and how any consequent effects on food production might be dealt with. Many diseases such as potato late blight are still a major problem and currently potato growers rely heavily on pesticides to protect crop yields. Potato blight was responsible for the Irish potato famine in the 1840s and it is still a major problem today.

The game will encourage discussion of issues such as: Is the ban good news or bad news for us and the environment? How can we continue to grow the same quantity and quality of food? What options are there? Could genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be one of the answers?

The game can be used at an exhibition, in schools as part of a GM debate or as a standalone exhibit that could be useful for anyone interested in discussing these issues with school children or the public.

The game has been created by scientists at SCRI, Scotland’s leading crop research institute, with the support of The British Society of Plant Pathology, in conjunction with members of staff from the Glasgow Science Centre and a local TV camera operator.

Notes to editors

“You choose the news” will be exhibited at the Dundee Sensation Science Centre on 8-9 March 2009.

For more information about the Women in STEM events which aim to promote the work of female scientists to school pupils, teachers and families in the Tayside area, please visit the STEM events listing on the Dundee University website.

For more information on the EU pesticides ban, please visit the Pesticides Safety Directorate website.

Game designed by Eleanor Gilroy, SCRI in collaboration with Lindsay Hogg, Glasgow Science Centre and Jenny Ross, TV camera operator.

More information from:

Phil Taylor, Head of Communications, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560044 (direct line), Mobile: 07810 860 701 or

Lorraine Wakefield, Information and Online Service Officer, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560047 (direct line) or 562731 (switchboard).