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The reporting of the risks from genetically modified organisms in the mass media, 2002–2004

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  • Grant Lewison

    (Evaluametrics Ltd
    University College London)

Abstract

This paper describes an analysis of coverage of the risks from agricultural and food genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) from April 2002 to April 2004 in 14 news media from six countries (Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the UK and the USA) which was conducted as part of a review for the European Commission of the management of risk communication. A total of 597 relevant news articles were found and coded for their presentational tone, the types of risk (environmental, financial, health and political, in that order), the organisms described (mainly maize, rape and beet crops), and the documents, people and organisations cited. UK news media tended to be the most “scary” and Spanish ones the most “robust”. Articles quoting public perceptions, non-governmental environmental organisations and politicians tended to emphasize the risks of GMOs; those quoting scientists tended to downplay the risks and describe their potential benefits. Some suggestions for possible action by the European Commission are put forward, such as the facilitation of contact between journalists and scientists, but it is recognized that for some newspapers, their editorial wish to campaign will inevitably over-ride their reporters’ wish to present the truth.

Suggested Citation

  • Grant Lewison, 2007. "The reporting of the risks from genetically modified organisms in the mass media, 2002–2004," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 72(3), pages 439-458, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:72:y:2007:i:3:d:10.1007_s11192-007-1769-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-007-1769-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eleni A. Galata, 2017. "The cultivation of opinions. How did the press cover the last 16 years of experience with GMOs in Canada?," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(1), pages 1297212-129, January.

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