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Changes in the news representation of smokers and tobacco-related media advocacy from 1995 to 2005 in Australia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 21:54 authored by Kim McLeodKim McLeod, Wakefield, M, Chapman, S, Clegg Smith, K, Durkin, SBackground: This study aims to show how smokers were represented in smoking-related news articles, editorials, letters and columns in a major Australian newspaper over an 11-year period from January 1995 to December 2005. Methods: Qualitative content analysis was conducted on a sample of 618 articles to identify 21 representational categories (RCs) of the smoker. Articles were also examined for statements that lent organisational support to either tobacco control or the promotion of tobacco. Results: The construction of the smoker as a ‘‘regulated citizen’’ due to being subjected to tobacco policy was the most prevalent RC, occurring in 43.4% of articles. Of the 13 most prevalent RCs, eight were constructions of the smoker that lent support to tobacco control outcomes, two were supportive of the promotion of tobacco, and three could be used by both parties. 30.6% of articles contained at least one statement from a tobacco control advocacy source, compared with only 13.6% of articles having a statement towards the promotion of tobacco. Conclusion: These results indicate that constructions of the smoker that support tobacco control have dominated smoking-related discourse in this Australian newspaper and that representations favouring a tobacco industry viewpoint appeared less often. However, the pro-tobacco representations of smokers in reports relating to legal issues highlight an area of media discourse in which tobacco control advocates should remain vigilant.
History
Publication title
Journal of Epidemiology & Community HealthVolume
63Pagination
215-221ISSN
0143-005XDepartment/School
School of Social SciencesPublisher
United KingdomPlace of publication
BMJ GroupRights statement
Copyright BMJ 2009Repository Status
- Restricted