title: Swine influenza and the news media.
abstract: Press coverage of the swine influenza inoculation campaign was generally superficial and marked by a "body count" mentality, but it was rarely inaccurate or sensationa, as has frequently been assumed. A study of coverage in 19 daily newspapers, the three television networks, and a wire service shows that the best work was done by science and medical writers on major metropolitan newspaper. Television newsmen and wire reporters were unprepared for a story of such complexity. A weak press relations effort by the Center for Disease Control and other public health agencies contributed to the public's confusion and upset professionals in the press. A better understanding by doctors of how the press works and closer relations between the medical community and the press can improve coverage of future public health programs.
mesh_terms: D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009524:Newspapers as Topic; D010820:Physicians; D011641:Public Relations; D013690:Television; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines