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Table 4 Dominant authoritative information sources (by categories) mentioned across all articles (with examples), and in those focusing on the alcohol-cancer story

From: An examination of Australian newspaper coverage of the link between alcohol and cancer 2005 to 2013

Type of Authority

Examples (most prevalent named first, with n provided)

ALL

(N = 1502)

n (%)

FOCUS

(n = 244)

n (%)

Alcohol/cancer advocacy (including relevant journals)

Cancer advocacy/agencies

e.g. Cancer Council (n = 256, includes state and national councils), Cancer Australia, Journal of Clinical Oncology, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Queensland Cancer Fund, World Cancer Research Fund, US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse.

564 (38%)

140 (57%)

Alcohol advocacy/agencies/research

e.g. Salvation Army (n = 48), Alcohol Policy Coalition, Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation, Centre for Alcohol Policy Research.

87 (6%)

15 (6%)

Both alcohol and cancer advocacy/agencies

652 (43%)

155 (64%)

Education (not including alcohol or cancer)

University of NSW (13), Oxford University, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, University College London, Journal of Science & Food Agriculture.

242 (16%)

55 (23%)

Other health promoting organisations

Australian Medical Association, British Health Department, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Public Health Association of Australia, CSIRO, Australian Dental Association.

143 (9%)

13 (5%)

Health services/ treating orgs

Mayo Clinic, Royal Hobart Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Norwest Private Hospital, Gumbuya Mental Health Service, Red Cross Blood Services

49 (3%)

8 (3%)

Generic

Generic non-specific

e.g. Reporter (n = 214), reporter, celebrity

236 (16%)

0 (−)

Generic Professionals/Experts

e.g. Dr. (n = 55), chief executive, Japanese researchers, Canadian study, GP, authority, anti-aging expert, researchers, nutritionist, study, dentist

137 (9%)

13 (5%)

All generic sources

373 (25%)

13 (5%)

Industries

General (i.e. no-alcohol interest agencies)

e.g. Goodguys (n = 12), Gym, Nathan Lion, Caci, Private business, Meat and Livestock Australia, Pfizer

23 (2%)

0 (−)

Wine/alcohol/consumer interest agencies

e.g. Australian Wine Research Institute (n = 10), Australian Consumer Organisation, International Winehealth, Absolut Cut, Gecko Winery

14 (<1%)

0(−)

All industry sources

37 (2%)

0 (−)

Miscellaneous

Adelaide, Barcelona, subject, US entity

7 (>1%)

0 (−)