DeRosier, Christopher (author), Sulemana, Iddisah (author), James, Harvey S. Jr. (author), Valdivia, Corinne (author), Folk, William (author), and Smith, Randall D. (author)
Format:
Online journal article
Publication Date:
2015
Published:
SAGE Journals
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10599
19 pages., via online journal., We empirically examine the reporting on biotechnology in Kenyan and international newspapers between 2010 and early 2014. We identify news articles that reported on biotechnology and analyze their use of words to determine whether there is a balance in the reporting of perceived risks and benefits. We also consider how the sources used in news articles and how the publication of the Séralini study of rats fed genetically modified maize affect the balance of reporting of perceived risks and benefits. We find that in Kenyan news reporting, more articles mention perceived benefits than risks, but when risks are mentioned, new articles contain more references to risks than to benefits. We also find that sources affect the reporting of perceived risks and benefits and that the Séralini study increased the likelihood that perceived risks are reported in Kenyan news reporting, but not in international newspapers.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C23819
Notes:
Reviewed 3/13/2006 at http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=83144, Via Poynteronline. 8 pages, Discusses values and methods of computer assisted reporting (CAR) programs at newspapers. Cites an example involving an investigative series, "Boss Hog, North Carolina pork revolution." Reporters used CAR to enrich some stories about links between Murphy Farms and state policies involving sewage disposition regulations on hog farms.
