No knowledge required

I have long argued that media reporting appears biased due to a large degree because journalists are concentrated in large cities (which also are characterized by high degrees of poverty, inequality, multiculturalism, crime, etc.). I have also argued that journalists are shockingly innumerate, frequently/routinely mistaking correlation for causation, mistaken directions of causal flow, misunderstanding sample size, randomization, standard deviation, ignorant of effect size, etc.

The following would seem to support the innumeracy thesis. From NPR Is Seeking A Science Editor. Science Education Not Required. by Alex Berezow.

The job ad is appalling.

NPR, which to its credit at least attempts to cover science and health, is looking for a new Science Editor. Unfortunately, actually being trained in science is not required for the job.

Under the qualifications section, the ad says, "Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience." Amazingly, not only is a background in science unnecessary, college itself is optional. Despite such a low bar, whoever gets hired for the job will be responsible for covering "consumer health trends, medicine, public health, biotech and health policy." Seriously?

The only substantive qualification in the ad is "broad and deep experience reporting and editing stories on health, medicine and science." But that's so vague, it could mean nearly anything. Whoever wrote "13 Amazing Sex Tips From Around The World" for Cosmopolitan would probably be qualified.

Journalists and editors pay lip service to the notion that society needs better science communication, but their actions prove they don't mean it. Why hire a Ph.D. or a person with a bachelor's degree in science when it's cheaper and easier to hire a social media intern who has spent the last few years copying-and-pasting press releases about scary toxins and miracle vegetables?

Berezow goes on to elaborate with other examples.

I am not a big fan of credentialism but I suspect this is taking it a bit far. You can extend the examples. Even to other sectors.

Wanted - Sports reporter with no knowledge of sports required.

Wanted - Religion reporter with no knowledge of religion required.

Wanted - Travel writer with no experience of travel required.

Wanted - French language teacher with no knowledge of French language required.

Wanted - Civil engineer with no knowledge of engineering.

I guess you can socially construct the knowledge later.