Abstract
Objectives
Because news frames can influence public and policy agendas, proponents of abortion
access should be concerned with how this issue is covered in the news. While previous
research has examined the content of news on abortion, this analysis explores the
process of newsmaking on abortion, examining how journalists understand their role
in and experience of covering abortion.
Study design
We recruited journalists with experience reporting on abortion through listservs for
progressive and feminist reporters. Thirty-one participants, with experiences at 75
diverse media outlets, completed in-depth, open-ended interviews. We used grounded
theory to code interview transcripts in Dedoose to identity emergent themes.
Results
Journalists described many challenges that applied to reporting generally, but that
they perceived to be more difficult around abortion: grappling with the meaning of
“neutrality” on this issue, finding new angles for articles, and handling editors
with varying knowledge of abortion. Over one-third (n=13) of participants mentioned feeling that the stakes were higher around abortion:
this urgency and polarization left journalists frustrated by efforts to find new sources
or angles on abortion stories. Finally, over 80% (n=28) of participants reported experiencing anti-abortion harassment as a result of
their abortion work.
Conclusions
The difficulties journalists described when reporting on abortion were often rooted
in abortion stigma and the political polarization around the issue. This pattern was
true even for reporters who worked to counter abortion stigma through their reporting.
Implications
Advocates interested in accurate, destigmatizing news frames might work pro-actively
to educate editors and increase reporters' access to providers, patients, and advocates.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 24, 2017
Accepted:
August 16,
2017
Received in revised form:
August 10,
2017
Received:
December 1,
2016
Footnotes
☆Disclosures/Conflict of Interest: None.
☆☆Acknowledgement of Funding: This research was funded by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and an anonymous donor.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
