Stem Cell Research

6 Pages 1476 Words

Media Coverage


“The mass media has played an integral, interactive role within scientific controversies generally and the stem cell debate specifically.” (Brossard 2003) “Not only does the media influence the attention of competing political actors, and the public but the media also powerfully shapes how policy issues related to science and technology controversy are identified, symbolized, and ultimately resolved.” (Brossard 2003) When the media controls the public opinion political decisions are decided keeping in mind the beliefs the media promotes. “Moreover, when a issue does appear in the media, it interests can define their stand as well as the alternatives available for discussion, then they have “framed” the situation in more winnable terms, delimitating the arguments the opposition can make and screening them off from participation.” (Brossard 2003) To frame an issue is to provide a storyline to the controversy, suggesting a particular stance. Who does the framing? There are many actors involved when an issue is framed. “United States media attention to biotechnology has been driven mostly by industrial and economic development of the technology, and coverage, has historically been overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing frames of scientific progress and economic prospect.” Other actors could include interest groups, politicians, doctors, lawyers, and celebrities, and more. Journalists too need to take the blame for framing because they tend to dramatize an issue to draw attention to the subject. They create protagonists and antagonist to further a storyline. Journalists pitted two groups against each other, scientists vs. religious leaders. “The first group is referenced as the advocates of scientific advancement and the second group is appointed moral guardians of society.” (Brossard 2003) Since this countries ideals arise from religion most people tend to side with the religious le...