What's the message? A content analysis of newspaper articles about assisted reproductive technology from 2005 to 2011
- 26 March 2014
- journal article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Human Fertility
- Vol. 17 (2), 124-132
- https://doi.org/10.3109/14647273.2014.895427
Abstract
Infertility and its treatment is the subject of considerable media coverage. In order to evaluate the representation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the popular media, we conducted a content analysis of North American newspaper articles. We also explored whether different themes emerged in relation to the implementation of public funding for ART in Quebec, Canada. Print and online newspaper articles from 2005 to 2011 were retrieved using the terms “in-vitro fertilization”, “infertility treatment”, “assisted reproductive technology”, and “IVF treatment”. Totally, 719 newspaper articles met inclusion criteria and were coded according to predetermined categories. Risks (63%) and ethical issues (61%) related to ART were most commonly featured. Quebec-based articles were mostly concerned with the politics and financial issues governing ART, and were less likely to report the risks and emotional impact of ART than other North American press. Newspapers tended to emphasize extreme scenarios as well as controversial cases that may not represent the everyday realities of ART. Changes in public policy may also engender shifts in the tone and content of media reports. It is important to establish resources that can inform the public as well as prospective infertility patients about their condition and potential treatment options.Keywords
This publication has 46 references indexed in Scilit:
- Fertility knowledge and beliefs about fertility treatment: findings from the International Fertility Decision-making StudyHuman Reproduction, 2012
- Estimating the prevalence of infertility in CanadaHuman Reproduction, 2012
- Working to eliminate multiple pregnancies: a success story in QuébecReproductive BioMedicine Online, 2011
- Mass media health information: Quantitative and qualitative analysis of daily press coverage and its relation with public perceptionsPatient Education and Counseling, 2011
- Boundaries and risk: Media framing of assisted reproductive technologies and older mothersSocial Science & Medicine (1982), 2011
- The Social Context of Interpersonal Communication and HealthJournal of Health Communication, 2009
- Genetically modified food in the news: media representations of the GM debate in the UKPublic Understanding of Science, 2009
- European citizens' use of E-health services: A study of seven countriesBMC Public Health, 2007
- Decision-making about seeking medical advice in an internet sample of women trying to get pregnantHuman Reproduction, 2007
- International estimates of infertility prevalence and treatment-seeking: potential need and demand for infertility medical careHuman Reproduction, 2007