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. |
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Contents
Chapter One Introduction | 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 |
Chapter Six Behind the News | 114 |
Chapter Seven Expertise | 137 |
Chapter Eight Audiences and the MMRAutism Story | 155 |
Chapter Nine Sowing the Seeds of Doubt? | 189 |
Notes | 201 |
209 | |
221 | |
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Common terms and phrases
analysed anti-MMR appeared argued argument asked audience autism balance believe cause challenge Chapter child choice claims communication concerned controversy correspondents covered Daily Mail dangers debate decision discussed diseases doctors editor effect emphasise evidence example expert-sources expertise experts fact February findings focus group participants frame give going health professionals idea included increase influence interest interviewed issue JABS journal journalists knowledge less measles media coverage MMR vaccine MMR/autism story mother mumps newspapers newsworthy opinion organisations parents political presented pro-MMR problem programme promoting published question reason received referred reported responsibility result risk role Royal College rubella safe safety scientific scientists selected showed side significant simply single vaccines sources statements studies suggested Table theories thing tion Today Today programme trust understand values views Wakefield wanted