a021  0016  23 Feb 85
PM-Science Criticism,0390
Presidential Science Adviser Blasts Media
By MALCOLM RITTER
AP Science Writer
    NEW YORK (AP) - Saying journalists are ''trying to tear down
America,'' presidential science adviser George Keyworth has charged
the American press with irresponsibility in reporting important
technical issues.
    In an interview published in a newsletter of the Scientists'
Institute for Public Information, Keyworth said the press is out of
step with trends in America and ''skewed toward an apparent joy in
attacking anything that resembles the 'establishment.'''
    Keyworth spokesman Bruce Abell said Friday that Keyworth was
unavailable to expand on the interview, which took place Dec. 19,
1984.
    In the interview, Keyworth said the American press as a whole,
''especially here in the East, has done an irresponsible job of
discussing important technical issues that are not easy for the
public to understand - the role of biotechnology, for example.
    ''They cover hearings on the (Capitol) Hill on the hazards of
biotechnology, but how much effort in the press has there been to
discuss the positive things biotechnology can do for America? Some,
but very little.''
    Biotechnology includes such techniques as implanting foreign genes
into an organism to alter its characteristics.
    Keyworth, who last October said many reporters deliberately distort
facts, said in the interview they do so because ''we're trying to
build up America, and the press is trying to tear down America.
    ''There are several reasons. Number one, for some reason that I just
do not understand, much of the press seems to be drawn from a
relatively narrow fringe element on the far left of our society.
Number two, there's an arrogance that has to do with the power of the
press. This arrogance feeds itself by achieving the maximum amount of
power. It's easier to tear down a building than it is to build one;
it's easier to achieve power by being negative and tearing at
foundations.''
    Keyworth said that in the last few years, he has seen ''a press that
is not responsible enough to do their job carefully or learn.
    ''At a time where public attention is moving away from emphasis on
divorces and moving toward the importance of the family, the American
press is absolutely out of step.''
    Abell, asked Friday if President Reagan shares Keyworth's opinions
in the interview, said, ''I would characterize this as Dr. Keyworth's
views.''
    
AP-NY-02-23-85 0316EST
***************