Abstract:Two controversial scientific achievements related to "room-temperature superconductivity" have sparked widespread media coverage. Uncertainty is an inherent attribute of contentious scientific findings and a focal point in science communication within risk societies, inevitably emphasized in public dissemination during the era of new media, influencing audiences" risk decisions concerning the reported subjects. Media coverage of controversial scientific findings under different frames is often marked by varying tones influenced by subjective and objective conditions. Rhetoric serves as a handy tool for media to achieve news objectivity and balance, ultimately forming effective strategies to guide audience decision-making. However, current research lacks an overall investigation into news rhetoric strategies. Therefore, this study combines thematic coding and qualitative comparative analysis to explore rhetorical strategies employed in news reporting of controversial scientific findings with different tones of uncertainty. The study identified eight themes and, through data analysis, categorized three negative-toned strategies used in reporting uncertainty: "pseudo-balance strategy," "comprehensive denial strategy," and "dramatic strategy," as well as three non-negative-toned strategies: "neutral prospect strategy," "inclusive balance strategy," and "unilateral optimism strategy." This research contributes to understanding how media rhetoric shapes discourse on uncertainty in contentious science reporting.
