Radio: The neglected medium for scientific communication

The advantages of radio as a medium for scientific information flow include its speed relative to printed material, the `live´ aspect, simplicity and economy relative to television, and the ubiquity of inexpensive receivers. The licenses of commercial radio stations effectively preclude all-science broadcasting. Public broadcasting stations are hampered by lack of financial support. The physicians radio network in New York City is a for-profit operation that uses a sideband of an FM channel to broadcast special-interest news and information to a limited group. Funded by proprietary advertisers, it serves as an example of `scientific radio´, but a drawback is the need for special receivers.