Health, Risk and NewsThe controversy surrounding the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism has raised unprecedented questions about the communication of health and science. Health, Risk and News: The MMR Vaccine and the Media examines how this story came to be so influential and asks if the media are to blame for unduly panicking the public. Drawing on comprehensive research - on media coverage, interviews with a range of journalists and sources, and analysis of audience opinion - this book explores how medical controversies are covered, with attention to issues of balance and objectivity, expertise, news values, risk and media effects. It will be of interest to students and scholars of media studies, journalists and health professionals. |
Contents
List of Abbreviations | 1 |
Chapter Two Reporting Health Science and Risk | 17 |
Chapter Three News Values and Health | 44 |
Chapter Four Balance in Health and Science Stories | 71 |
Chapter Five Sources in the MMRAutism Story | 95 |
18 | 109 |
30 | 119 |
Chapter Seven Expertise | 137 |
35 | 140 |
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Common terms and phrases
analyse anti-MMR appeared argued argument asked audience autism balance believe cause challenge Chapter child choice claims communication concerned consider controversy correspondents Daily Mail dangers debate decision discussed diseases doctors editor effect emphasise evidence example expert-sources expertise experts fact fear February findings focus group participants frame friends give going health professionals idea included increase influence interviewed issue JABS Journal journalists knowledge less measles media coverage MMR vaccine MMR/autism story modifiers mother mumps newspapers opinion organisations parents political presented pro-MMR problem programme published question rates reason referred reported responsibility result risk Royal College rubella safe safety scientific scientists selected showed side significant simply single vaccines sources statements suggested Table theory tion Today Today programme trust understand values views Wakefield wanted worried