News Media Presentations of Electronic Cigarettes: A Content Analysis of News Coverage in South Korea

Abstract

Analyzing newspaper articles and television news transcripts, our study examines the quantity and the nature of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) coverage in South Korea. In terms of the quantity, we found that news coverage of e-cigarettes significantly increased in the most recent 2 years (2014 and 2015). Our analysis of story topics indicated that South Korean news media were more likely to present e-cigarettes as a policy issue than a health issue, talking primarily about how to regulate this new product. When it comes to potential benefits and drawbacks of e-cigarettes, news coverage was unbalanced and more likely to talk about health risks than benefits. Overall, the tone of news stories was largely unfavorable, suggesting that public sentiment in South Korea has been rather negative than positive toward e-cigarette vaping. We also found that such journalistic practices as relying heavily on established routine sources and focusing on the stories that can attract larger audiences might have affected the way e-cigarettes were presented in the news.

How Indonesian Media Frame the Harms and Benefits of E-cigarette

“…This study used a quantitative content-analysis method started with a structured search of articles with certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodology used in this study is similar to previous studies analysing how e-cigarette issues were framed in the news media in The U.S. and South Korea [18], [19], [20].…”

“…There were four coders who reviewed and coded the article contents using the coding sheet as a guide. Coding variables in this study were determined based on a combination of deductive and inductive approaches similar to the coding method by Kim et al [20]. Deductively, initial variables are developed from the coding variables used by Kim et al [20].…”

News framing of avian flu: Media advocacy and response to a public health crisis

“…In general, media advocacy refers to how an issue is portrayed in the media and how this media coverage influences public opinion (Winett & Wallack, 1996). In addition, according to media advocacy, news media influence policy change by informing policy makers to better identify the issues (S. H. Kim et al, 2017). By focusing on social causes and solutions of an issue, advocates seek to emphasize issues as public health concerns (Wallack et al, 1993).…”

Effects of Framing Nicotine Reduction in Cigarettes on Anticipated Tobacco Product Use Intentions and Risk Perceptions Among US Adult Smokers

“…Framing refers to highlighting different aspects of an issue, resulting in different issue interpretations or responses. 15 For instance, opinions about climate change varied depending on whether the issue was framed as “global warming” or “climate change.” 16 In tobacco communications, framing has been used to understand how news media portray tobacco products 17–19 and how perceptions about a tobacco product change as a result of exposure to different media frames. For instance, smokers’ interest in trying snus was higher when they read news framing snus as a safer alternative to cigarettes than when they read news emphasizing snus risks.…”