Framing of Genetically Modified Food in U.S. National Newspapers
Brittany Norton − Journalism, Media Studies
Faculty Mentor(s): Dean Mundy, Mark Blaine
Poster 109
Research Area: Humanities
There are many science topics at the center of debate and contention. One of these is genetically modified food. Many questions arise about whether these crops are safe for human consumption, and how they will impact the environment over time. According to a Pew Research Center study, there is a sharp contrast in the way scientists view genetically modified (GM) foods and the way the general public views GM foods. The study found that 88 percent of scientists at the American Association for the Advancement of Science say GM foods are generally safe to consume, while only 37 percent of the public agree. This project explores the framing of GM foods used by two national U.S. newspapers to explain the concept and implications to the general public, and considers how this could impact public perception.I analyze print articles from The Washington Post and The New York Times at peak periods of coverage from 2000 to present day. This allows me to examine how coverage changes over time as genetically modified foods become more prominent in U.S. society. The coverage is separated into common themes, or frames, and analyzed. My research also includes interviews with biologists at the University of Oregon to gather their opinion on coverage of science news in mainstream media. While there has been a multitude of research conducted on science communication, little of it incorporates views from scientists themselves. My research examines how scientists and journalists can work together to communicate science more effectively.