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Vaccine Hesitancy in the Age of Coronavirus and Fake News: Analysis of Journalistic Sources in the Spanish Quality Press

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  • Daniel Catalan-Matamoros

    (Department of Communication Studies, University Carlos III of Madrid, 28903 Madrid, Spain
    Health Research Centre, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
    Research Group for Analysis and Anticipation Journalism, University of Nebrija, 20240 Madrid, Spain)

  • Carlos Elías

    (Department of Communication Studies, University Carlos III of Madrid, 28903 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The study of the quality press and the use of sources is relevant to understand the role of journalists in scientific controversies. The objective was to examine media sourcing patterns, using the case of vaccines as a backdrop. Articles were retrieved from the national quality press in Spain. Content analysis was undertaken on the sources and on other variables such as tone, frames and journalistic genre. The software myNews and NVivo were used for data collection and coding, while SPSS and Excel were used for statistical analysis. Findings indicate that sources related to the government, professional associations and scientific companies are the most frequently used, confirming the central role of government institutions as journalistic sources. These were followed by university scientists, scientific journals and clinicians. On the other hand, NGOs and patients groups were included in fewer than 5% of the articles. More than 30% included none or just one source expressing unbalanced perspectives. Frequent use of certain source types, particularly governmental, may indicate state structures of power. The study provides a better understanding of journalistic routines in the coverage of vaccines, including fresh perspectives in the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Catalan-Matamoros & Carlos Elías, 2020. "Vaccine Hesitancy in the Age of Coronavirus and Fake News: Analysis of Journalistic Sources in the Spanish Quality Press," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8136-:d:439704
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. An Nguyen & Daniel Catalan-Matamoros, 2020. "Digital Mis/Disinformation and Public Engagement with Health and Science Controversies: Fresh Perspectives from Covid-19," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(2), pages 323-328.
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    Cited by:

    1. Laura Picazo-Sánchez & Rosa Domínguez-Martín & David García-Marín, 2022. "Health Promotion on Instagram: Descriptive–Correlational Study and Predictive Factors of Influencers’ Content," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Andrea Langbecker & Daniel Catalan-Matamoros, 2021. "Who Guides Vaccination in the Portuguese Press? An Analysis of Information Sources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Luis Cárcamo-Ulloa & Camila Cárdenas-Neira & Eliana Scheihing-García & Diego Sáez-Trumper & Matthieu Vernier & Carlos Blaña-Romero, 2023. "On Politics and Pandemic: How Do Chilean Media Talk about Disinformation and Fake News in Their Social Networks?," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Hedviga Tkacová & Roman Králik & Miroslav Tvrdoň & Zita Jenisová & José García Martin, 2022. "Credibility and Involvement of Social Media in Education—Recommendations for Mitigating the Negative Effects of the Pandemic among High School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-22, February.
    5. María Jesús Fernández-Torres & Ana Almansa-Martínez & Rocío Chamizo-Sánchez, 2021. "Infodemic and Fake News in Spain during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    6. Daniel Muñoz-Sastre & Luis Rodrigo-Martín & Isabel Rodrigo-Martín, 2021. "The Role of Twitter in the WHO’s Fight against the Infodemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.

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