Investigation of the Content Offered to the Public Regarding Noise Pollution in Online News

Abstract

Background/objectives: Noise remains an under-discussed type of environmental pollutant, which exerts a wide range of adverse health effects, both auditory and non-auditory. Ensuring that the public has ready access to useful health information online about noise exposure is important. In this regard, evaluating the content of public news articles regarding noise pollution is vital. Although examining the content available to the public on this topic is significant, there is still a dearth of information on this topic. Consequently, this study aimed to analyze the content on Google News regarding noise pollution.

Methods: Google News was searched using the term "noise pollution," and 100 articles were shortlisted for further coding. Qualitative coding was based on the news source, the type of domain extension, and whether a video was included in the article. The articles were quantitatively coded based on their content and compared for length.

Results: The three most common content areas were as follows: types of noise pollution (73%), sources of noise (63%), and responses by administrative offices (59%). Only 17% of the news articles alluded to health issues linked to noise pollution, such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, high blood pressure, and effects on children's auditory skills, that is speech development, concentration, and memory retention. Scientific research findings related to noise pollution were incorporated in less than one-third of the articles. The news articles were of comparable length.

Conclusion: This study not only contributes to a better understanding of the news provided to the public and how noise pollution issues are discussed in contemporary, mainstream media, but also can inform about public health initiatives. We recommend that scientific/healthcare communities collaborate with online news media to improve the coverage regarding-and underscore the scientific evidence of-the deleterious consequences of noise on human and animal health.