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Food risk communication: analysis of the media coverage of food risk on Italian online daily newspapers

Author

Listed:
  • Barbara Tiozzo

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie)

  • Anna Pinto

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie)

  • Federico Neresini

    (University of Padua)

  • Stefano Sbalchiero

    (University of Padua)

  • Nicoletta Parise

    (University of Padua)

  • Mirko Ruzza

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie)

  • Licia Ravarotto

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie)

Abstract

The present study analysed the media coverage of food risk in the online editions of the four leading Italian daily newspapers in order to explore which topics were mainly covered and which aspects were preferably stressed. The media coverage was compared to data published on the RASFF Portal, in order to verify whether the selected sources worked promoting adequate information about food risks, or rather responding to news making criteria. Time series and content analysis were conducted on 2286 food risk news published between 2010 and 2014. The RASFF Portal returned 2697 alert notifications that were analysed and compared with the media coverage results. Findings show that apart from media peaks the selected sources generally cover food risk without much variability. The great majority of RASFF data did not receive specific mention among the news articles analysed, suggesting that the selected sources cover food safety issues responding more to a gate keeping bias. In relation to food incidents that generated major coverage, apart from the 2011 E. coli outbreak, the media were functioning conveying alarmist messages rather than informing and mitigating risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Tiozzo & Anna Pinto & Federico Neresini & Stefano Sbalchiero & Nicoletta Parise & Mirko Ruzza & Licia Ravarotto, 2019. "Food risk communication: analysis of the media coverage of food risk on Italian online daily newspapers," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 53(6), pages 2843-2866, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:53:y:2019:i:6:d:10.1007_s11135-019-00897-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-019-00897-3
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    1. Mirko Ruzza & Barbara Tiozzo & Valentina Rizzoli & Mosé Giaretta & Laura D'Este & Licia Ravarotto, 2020. "Food Risks on the Web: Analysis of the 2017 Fipronil Alert in the Italian Online Information Sources," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(10), pages 2071-2092, October.
    2. Massimiliano Giacalone & Vito Santarcangelo & Vincenzo Donvito & Oriana Schiavone & Emilio Massa, 2021. "Big data for corporate social responsibility: blockchain use in Gioia del Colle DOP," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(6), pages 1945-1971, December.

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