Reporting Physical Activity: Perceptions and Practices of Australian Media Professionals.
- Publisher:
- HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Journal of physical activity & health, 2015, 12, (8), pp. 1096-1101
- Issue Date:
- 2015-08
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Filename | Description | Size | |||
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Smith&Bonfiglioli_JPAH_Reporting PA.pdf | Accepted version | 403.15 kB |
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Background
Advocacy informed by scientific evidence is necessary to influence policy and planning to address physical inactivity. The mass media is a key arena for this advocacy. This study investigated the perceptions and practices of news media professionals reporting physical activity and sedentariness to inform strategic communication about these issues.Methods
We interviewed media professionals working for major television, radio, newspaper and online news outlets in Australia. The interviews explored understandings of physical activity and sedentariness, attributions of causality, assignment of responsibility, and factors affecting news reporting on these topics. Data were thematically analyzed using NVivo.Results
Physical inactivity was recognized as pervasive and important, but tended to be seen as mundane and not newsworthy. Sedentariness was regarded as more novel than physical activity, and more likely to require organizational and environment action. Respondents identified that presenting these issues in visual and engaging ways was an ongoing challenge.Conclusions
Physical activity researchers and advocates need to take account of prevailing news values and media practices to improve engagement with the news media. These include understanding the importance of novelty, narratives, imagery, and practical messages, and how to use these to build support for environmental and policy action.Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: