I think you're absolutely right Stu. A case in point is the Brexit Referendum. Many people felt they didn't know enough about the situation to make an informed decision about how they would vote.

The trouble with scientific subjects is that a vast majority of the public haven't had the advanced education or scientific background which would enable them to understand the issues. Dumbing down is to be avoided at all costs, but one can't expect ordinary folk to be able to follow complicated research undertaken by PhDs.

Broadcasting also has an agenda to entertain, which might preclude anything too meaty for digestion by the general viewer or listener.