Newspaper representations of health-related websites: A qualitative analysis

Lela Jacobsohn, MA, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6220, 215-290-1929, ljacobsohn@asc.upenn.edu

This paper examines how popular media discusses health-related websites. It inquires into newspaper reporting about what is °µgood°¨ and °µbad°¨ about health information on the Internet as well as how reporters influence the audience of health-related sites. This paper explores how newspapers comment directly or indirectly on the quality, usefulness, and importance of health websites.

We conducted a Lexis-Nexis„¦ search of five of the top ten national newspapers in daily circulation for their coverage of health websites and web-based health information between August 2002 and January 2003. 496 relevant articles were retrieved and analyzed qualitatively for substantive content.

Our findings show that newspaper discourse reveals health websites as a new °µsource°¨ for journalists, predominantly used as a substitute for or supplement to personal interviews and other research. However, newspaper coverage offers minimal explicit commentary on the sites°¦ quality or credibility. Rather, reporters°¦ treatment of health websites implies to readers that the Internet can serve as an accurate and accessible annex to the medical industry and health organizations, only infrequently noting their potential for providing incomplete, incorrect or possibly harmful advice.

With the use of the web as a source for reporters, clear communication to the newspaper reader about the process and/or criteria used to choose particular websites for citation in an article is essential. Such publication by journalists would mark an important step toward encouraging public sharing of ways to critically think about health on the web.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

1. Articulate four major ways newspaper journalists’ influence readers’ approach to and trust in using the Internet for health information.
2. Identify three key problems with the current coverage by popular media of health websites.
3. Evaluate the importance of increased attention to and debate on newspaper transparency of sourcing of web-based health information, from a public health and policy perspective.
4. Provide guidance to the media particularly newspaper reporters on how to more effectively cover health topics and issues so as to better serve their readers.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The use of Technology in Health Promotion

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA