False Balance in Public Health Reporting? Michele Bachmann, the HPV Vaccine, and "Mental Retardation". Issue 2 (1st February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thomas, Ryan J.; Tandoc, Edson C.; Hinnant, Amanda
• Is Part Of: Health communication. Volume 32:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 152
• Page End: 160
• Publication Date: 2017-02-01
• Subjects: Communication in medicine -- Periodicals; Health in mass media -- Periodicals; 362.1014
• DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2015.1110006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1041-0236

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This content analysis of media coverage of Michele Bachmann's erroneous comments that the HPV vaccine causes mental retardation explores the relationship between truth-telling (the presentation of accurate information) and balance (presenting opposing perspectives of an issue equally and legitimately) in public health reporting. Of 200 articles analyzed, about 50% provided correction and about 40% provided a counterpoint. We also found that health reporters tended to engage in truth-telling and balance more than political reporters. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.