Information disorder in science communication
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Junior Research Fellow in Science Communication at the University of Tartu
In an era saturated with misinformation and cognitive overload, science communication must undergo a paradigm shift.
Despite high public trust in science, Estonians rarely integrate scientific knowledge into daily decision-making—a dissonance that weakens democratic resilience. Ebe Pilt argues that current communication practices, rooted in outdated deficit models and driven by mass media logics, often fail to reach those who need evidence most. Instead of mere dissemination, effective science communication should prioritise timing, relevance, audience specificity, and trust-building. Deliberative, targeted formats—what Pilt calls “precision communication”—are vital, especially in crises where science must inform urgent choices. Structural reform is needed: from funding criteria to institutional roles. If science is to guide society wisely, it must escape its echo chamber and speak meaningfully where decisions are made.