9 pages, This article represents the first systematic examination of BBC coverage of one of the most controversial rural issues in a generation, namely the culling of badgers (a protected species) to stop the spread of bovine TB in England. While the BBC has certain regulatory responsibilities set out in its guidelines to provide duly impartial coverage it has been regularly criticised for being biased. Little is known about the BBC's performance other than what is suggested by critics, previous research having focused on press coverage. Based on an original content analysis of news, current affairs and factual output this article assesses the BBC's coverage. It shows that while competing voices and perspectives were balanced its coverage was not that distinct from its commercial rivals, with both framing the issue as a conflict over badgers rather than about the spread of a disease affecting livestock and livelihoods, and both focusing on a narrow set of voices involved in the conflict.
Shors, Benjamin (author) and Jones, Lisa Waananen (author)
Format:
Research report
Publication Date:
2019
Published:
USA: Journalism and Media Production Department, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 124 Document Number: D11227
Notes:
Via online. 10 pages., "In the context of post-secondary journalism education, we investigated whether community guidance and involvement can improve 'parachute' journalism to create meaningful coverage in rural areas." Findings offered strong evidence of benefits for student learning, as well as interest from regional news organizations in greater collaboration with student journalists and need for a complete and ongoing assessment of information needs of rural communities in the region during a time of rapidly changing technology and loss of local news resources.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 157 Document Number: D11631
Notes:
2 pages., Online via AgriMarketing Weekly. 2 pages., Revised name and mission of what was formerly the Agricultural Publishers Association (APA) and Connectiv Agri Media Committee.
USA: Specialized Information Publishers Association (SIIA)
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 201 Document Number: D11719
Notes:
Online via AgriMarketing Weekly. 2 pages., Announces consolidation of Connectiv, Association Media and Publishing, and the Specialized Information Publishers Association into one newly branded association.
August 1 issue via online. 2 pages., Article describes sale of Cygnus Business Media's agriculture group to American Farm Bureau Federation, "the largest trade association in the U.S. agriculture industry."
November 19 issue via online. 2 pages., "Cygnus Business Media this week folded its monthly food and agriculture group trade magazine, Frozen Food Age."
