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. 2003 Nov-Dec:27 Suppl 3:S217-26.
doi: 10.5993/ajhb.27.1.s3.5.

Studying the news on public health: how content analysis supports media advocacy

Lori Dorfman  1
Affiliations

Studying the news on public health: how content analysis supports media advocacy

Lori Dorfman. Am J Health Behav. 2003 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To describe how content analysis of the news assists media advocates.

Methods: A description of how findings from the Berkeley Media Studies Group's research on how 2 public health issues have been portrayed in the news has informed media advocacy.

Results: For media advocates, the research suggests they make themselves available to reporters, prepare spokespeople representing key stakeholders, and make data available. For reporters, the research suggests they expand sources beyond the "usual suspects," provide context in regular reporting, increase enterprise and investigative reporting, and ask better questions based on epidemiology and risk factors.

Conclusion: Content analysis can help media advocates pinpoint areas for creating news to advance policy.

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