False Balance in Public Health Reporting? Michele Bachmann, the HPV Vaccine, and "Mental Retardation"

Health Commun. 2017 Feb;32(2):152-160. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2015.1110006. Epub 2016 May 18.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Consumer Health Information / methods
  • Consumer Health Information / standards
  • Health Communication / standards*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / chemically induced*
  • Internet
  • Mass Media / standards*
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines