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News coverage of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes: Pro- and antitax arguments in public discourse

Author

Listed:
  • Niederdeppe, J.
  • Gollust, S.E.
  • Jarlenski, M.P.
  • Nathanson, A.M.
  • Barry, C.L.

Abstract

Objectives.We examined news coverage of public debates about large taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to illuminate how the news media frames the debate and to inform future efforts to promote obesity-related public policy. Methods. We conducted a quantitative content analysis in which we assessed how frequently 30 arguments supporting or opposing SSB taxes appeared in national news media and in news outlets serving jurisdictions where SSB taxes were proposed between January 2009 and June 2011. Results. News coverage included more discrete protax than antitax arguments on average. Supportive arguments about the health consequences and financial benefits of SSB taxes appeared most often. The most frequent opposing arguments focused on how SSB taxes would hurt the economy and how they constituted inappropriate governmental intrusion. Conclusions. News outlets that covered the debate on SSB taxes in their jurisdictions framed the issue in largely favorable ways. However, because these proposals have not gained passage, it is critical for SSB tax advocates to reach audiences not yet persuaded about the merits of this obesity prevention policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Niederdeppe, J. & Gollust, S.E. & Jarlenski, M.P. & Nathanson, A.M. & Barry, C.L., 2013. "News coverage of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes: Pro- and antitax arguments in public discourse," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(6), pages 92-98.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2012.301023_8
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301023
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    Cited by:

    1. Christina H Buckton & Chris Patterson & Lirije Hyseni & S Vittal Katikireddi & Ffion Lloyd-Williams & Alex Elliott-Green & Simon Capewell & Shona Hilton, 2018. "The palatability of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation: A content analysis of newspaper coverage of the UK sugar debate," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Kolodinsky, Jane & Reynolds, Travis & Baker, Daniel & Watts, Richard, 2015. "Regulatory Capture and Support for and Opposition to Controversial Food System Policy Issues: An Exploratory Analysis," 143rd Joint EAAE/AAEA Seminar, March 25-27, 2015, Naples, Italy 202700, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    3. Cornelsen, Laura & Smith, Richard D., 2018. "Viewpoint: Soda taxes – Four questions economists need to address," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 138-142.
    4. Law, Cherry & Cornelsen, Laura & Adams, Jean & Pell, David & Rutter, Harry & White, Martin & Smith, Richard, 2020. "The impact of UK soft drinks industry levy on manufacturers’ domestic turnover," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    5. Rowbotham, Samantha & McKinnon, Merryn & Marks, Leah & Hawe, Penelope, 2019. "Research on media framing of public policies to prevent chronic disease: A narrative synthesis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 1-1.

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