Files
Abstract
This study involved a content analysis of 339 print media articles published during the 2006-07 influenza season related to influenza (flu), avian influenza (bird flu), pandemic flu and vaccination. Articles were collected from newspapers, websites, broadcast media sites, magazines and news networks/news wires. The purpose of the study was to identify the predominant frames and topics found in print media coverage of flu. Secondary goals examined the tone of influenza articles towards vaccination and CDC and assessed how often CDCs key public health messages for influenza were conveyed in print media coverage. Results demonstrated that media coverage of influenza was commonly framed through the use of subject matter experts, medical statistics and CDCs key messages. Other findings revealed that pandemic flu was the most common topic covered, followed by flu cases, avian influenza, the influenza vaccine, the flu season and pandemic preparedness.