News Coverage of Genetic Cloning
- 1 July 2006
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Communication Inquiry
- Vol. 30 (3), 229-250
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0196859906287934
Abstract
This case study examines news coverage of genetic cloning in three major print newspapers and three major online news sources from 1996 to 1999. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to systematically assess issues of balance, sourcing, news focus, and language use in news articles about cloning. Four trends emerge from this study: a tendency to portray cloning as a technique and/or technology, a reliance on sources from research institutes and biotechnology companies, a use of language that depicts cloning in a positive light, and an overwhelming emphasis placed on the possible future benefits that may be associated with cloning. The author argues that these findings suggest a shift from conventional notions about what journalists do— report on events that have occurred. Instead, news reports about cloning involve speculative conjectures about potential benefits and possible futures. Such a shift may mean that a re-evaluation of journalistic practices is needed.Keywords
This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- What Writing Does and How It Does ItPublished by Taylor & Francis Ltd ,2003
- News and the NetPublished by Taylor & Francis Ltd ,2003