Features
ISBN Number: 9780820488387
Subtitle: The Mmr Vaccine and the Media
Written by: Boyce, Tammy
Published by: Peter Lang Pub Inc
Copyright: 2007
Date of Publication: 2007-09-01
Cover Type: Paperback
Written in: English
The 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. Book News Annotation:
In 1995, a British doctor first alleged that the measles, mumps, and
rubella (MMR) vaccine might be linked to autism. Boyce (Risk,
Science, Health and Media Group, Cardiff University) examines why this claim
attracted so much media coverage and concern over the vaccine's
safety in the UK--where, unlike the US, childhood vaccination is not
compulsory. In the context of earlier vaccine scares, she draws on
interviews and research in discussing why "balanced" stories on
health controversies are not necessarily objective, and influences on
parents' vaccination decisions.
Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
