Vaccine Hesitancy in the Age of Coronavirus and Fake News: Analysis of Journalistic Sources in the Spanish Quality Press.

Daniel Catalan-Matamoros,Carlos Elías

doi:10.3390/ijerph17218136

Daniel Catalan-Matamoros, Carlos Elías

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218136

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Abstract

The study of the quality press and the use of sources is relevant to understand the role of journalists in scientific controversies. The objective was to examine media sourcing patterns, using the case of vaccines as a backdrop. Articles were retrieved from the national quality press in Spain. Content analysis was undertaken on the sources and on other variables such as tone, frames and journalistic genre. The software myNews and NVivo were used for data collection and coding, while SPSS and Excel were used for statistical analysis. Findings indicate that sources related to the government, professional associations and scientific companies are the most frequently used, confirming the central role of government institutions as journalistic sources. These were followed by university scientists, scientific journals and clinicians. On the other hand, NGOs and patients groups were included in fewer than 5% of the articles. More than 30% included none or just one source expressing unbalanced perspectives. Frequent use of certain source types, particularly governmental, may indicate state structures of power. The study provides a better understanding of journalistic routines in the coverage of vaccines, including fresh perspectives in the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights

In order to improve society, accurate science-related information is needed
As the aim of the current study is to obtain a more nuanced understanding of the sourcing patterns in specialised journalism using the case of vaccines as a backdrop, we aim to provide answers to the following research questions
This study demonstrated that sources related to the government, professional associations and scientific companies are the most cited in news articles about vaccines, while it confirms the central role of government institution sources in specialised journalism

Summary

Introduction

In order to improve society, accurate science-related information is needed. Aside from primary and secondary school textbooks, the media are considered the most used source of scientific information by the population and, for the majority, the unique source for science-related topics [1]. As the lay public does not maintain fluent contacts with scientists or healthcare professionals [2], the media are crucial in keeping the public informed about scientific issues. The information that they receive from the mass media has the potential to shape the public’s perception of issues and events, opinions, attitudes and even behaviours [3]. In our expanding media universe, with increasing coverage of health and science issues [4], sourcing is considered an important task in journalism practice and is a key component in story construction, which provides journalists with story content and context [5]. Journalists have the power to select their sources and are often challenged to find interesting and trustworthy voices beyond their networks and socio-cultural environments

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