Newspaper Coverage of the Breast Implant Controversy

ABSTRACT

Newspaper coverage of the silicone breast implant controversy from 1992 through 1996 was analyzed to determine whether women in the United States were provided with a fair and balanced account. The paper also addressed whether or not Dow Corning's public relations campaign impacted newspaper coverage. All stories from the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune and the Wall Street Journal were analyzed. Findings suggested that early coverage of the controversy focused on the health risks of silicone breast implants while later coverage focused on the financial situations of the implant manufacturers. The most-interviewed sources were spokespersons for the implant manufacturers, while the least-interviewed sources were women with implants. The findings suggested that reporting patterns were influenced by the public relations efforts of the implant manufacturer, raising questions concerning the coverage of health care controversies involving large corporations seeking refuge from litigation.

KEYWORDS:

• Implants
• silicone
• newspapers
• fairness
• balance
• journalism
• reporting