Media coverage of health issues and how to work more effectively with journalists: a qualitative study

Abstract

BackgroundThe mass media has enormous potential to influence health-related behaviours and perceptions. Much research has focused on how the media frames health issues. This study sought to explore how journalists in Australia select and shape news on health issues.MethodsThe study involved semi-structured interviews with 16 journalists from major Australian print, radio and television media organisations reporting on avian influenza and pandemic planning. Journalists, including reporters, editors and producers, were interviewed between October 2006 and August 2007. Thematic analysis was used to draw out major lessons for health communicators.ResultsJournalists routinely attempted to balance different, sometimes competing, aims amidst significant operational constraints. They perceived the most trusted sources on health issues to be respected and independent doctors. Specialist health and medical reporters had a more sound technical knowledge, channels to appropriate sources, power within their organisations, and ability to advocate for better quality coverage.ConclusionsAn awareness of how to work with the media is essential for health communicators. This includes understanding journalists' daily routines, being available, providing resources, and building relationships with specialist health reporters.

What's the message? A content analysis of newspaper articles about assisted reproductive technology from 2005 to 2011

“…Studies of media reports of other medical conditions report similar fi ndings (Ogbogu et al, 2013;Whitley & Berry, 2013). This is surprising considering that journalists often include personal accounts in their reporting of news events to make their story more compelling (Leask et al, 2010). The lived experience of patients offers a critical and realistic perspective about illness and treatment.…”

“…The media has been shown to infl uence people ' s beliefs, behaviors and attitudes in relation to health (Leask et al, 2010), as well as health service utilization (Howe et al, 2002). The ways in which news reports are framed can affect the way the general public understands the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment options for particular medical conditions, and infl uence the acceptance of new health technologies (Quintero Johnson et al, 2011).…”

Covering Mental Illness

“…As mentioned earlier, a challenge to quality reporting is finding sources willing to share personal stories with the media (Hodgetts et al 2008). Seeking such "human-interest" sources for information, and not exclusively medical experts as health reporters commonly do (Leask, Hooker, and King 2010), meant that respondents could give voice to stigmatized and therefore marginalized groups. In doing so, respondents engaged in civic-oriented journalism (Hodgetts et al 2008) in that they could present mental illness as a complex health problem, linked to social or environmental causative factors such as poverty, to be addressed through collective, public health solutions and not as a medical problem to be addressed through individual solutions.…”

Evaluation of Newspaper Articles for Coverage of Public Reporting Data: A Case Study of Unadjusted Cancer Survival Data

“…The reason for this inconsistency is unclear. They may be attempting to balance sensationalism with accuracy (14), using the former to gain attention while acknowledging the importance of the latter. Caution must be exercised because even though a point may be addressed in the text of an article, the underlying message of that point may be blurred by the article's presentation.…”