Examining the quality of news media reporting of complex mental illness in relation to violent crime in Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

News reporting on mental illness can perpetuate stigma. An understanding of the current picture of such reporting is important to identify areas for improvement. This study investigated the quality of Australian news media coverage of complex mental illness in the context of crime and violence over a 2-year period, prior to the release of new media guidelines.

Methods

This research utilised a systematic search of Australian news articles that were published between July 2018 and July 2020 and reported on mental illness in relation to violent crime. Researchers developed a Mental Illness and Crime Reporting Quality Framework to determine quality scores for news articles according to 11 relevant factors in media guidelines. An additional 11 characteristics of articles

SUBMITTER: Graham M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10685681 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature