Citation

Abbott M, Ramchand R, Chamberlin M, Marcellino W. Health Commun. 2018; 33(6): 674-680.

Affiliation

RAND Corporation.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10410236.2017.1298198

PMID

28353352

Abstract

A social marketing campaign was introduced in California in 2012, promoting media adherence to consensus-based guidelines on reporting about suicide. We examine adherence to these guidelines by applying quantitative scores to articles in California and a national control group in two six-month intervals prior to and following campaign implementation. Utilizing a difference-in-difference approach, we found no significant effect of the campaign, though the type of article content was a significant indicator of the overall score.

FINDINGS also demonstrated a nation-wide downward trend in the quality of reporting. Qualitative results suggest a need for more flexible guidelines in light of a technologically driven news culture.

Language: en