ABSTRACT
Lloyd George's sentiments about politicians and the press were reflected many years in relation to scientists in the conclusions of the hugely influential House of Lords Select Committee Report on Science and Technology, which gave rise to the setting up of the Science Media Centre. The Science Media Centre (SMC) is a unique experiment in a new kind of media relations activity. The first person to step up to provide the resources and leadership was Baroness Susan Greenfield, Director of the Royal Institution, who believed that the RI's historic role of disseminating science to the public, combined with its independence from Government, made it suitable to lead any new drive to improve the media's coverage of science. Baroness Greenfield set up an Advisory Committee comprising leading scientists, journalists and editors who over the course delivered the concept of a SMC, which would 'help renew public trust in science and bridge the gap between the cultures of science' and the media.
