Poor quality reporting of cancer in mainstream media
Cancer reporting in the media is generally of low quality. However, many of the poorer aspects of the content are directly attributable to the researchers, according to a study published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Amanda Wilson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow from the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle, and co-authors reviewed the content, context and quality of cancer reporting in Australian media from June 2004 to June 2009.
A total of 1323 stories about new treatments and procedures were identified. Of these, 272 were cancer related. Cancer was the primary focus of around 20 per cent of all stories about new drugs and 40 per cent for all stories about diagnostic tests. Most cancer stories identified the source of their information, with the predominant source being the researcher or doctor who had tested or administered the intervention.
Dr Wilson said that reporting of cancer in the mainstream media continued to be of poor quality.
“Individual narrative or testimonial is a device widely used in the media and seen to add the human dimension of a story. However, it provides anecdotal information, which is the lowest form of evidence, and this can be misleading if it is not balanced by strong evidence,” Dr Wilson said.
One hundred and eleven of the 269 reports (41 per cent) contained overly emotive language in a direct quote from a source. Most of these (54 per cent) were attributed to researchers talking about their work.
“Journalists and researchers have a particular responsibility not to raise patients’ hopes unreasonably.
“Researchers have a responsibility to present their findings to the media in a manner that increases the probability of accurate reporting by the mainstream media,” Dr Wilson said.
The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.
The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.
CONTACT: Dr Amanda Wilson 0407 456 642
Ms Kate Robinson 02 4921 5506 / 0408 115 467
(University of Newcastle Media Officer)