GATEKEEPING THROUGH MEDIA FORMAT - STRATEGIES OF VOICE FOR THE HIV-POSITIVE VIA HUMAN INTEREST NEWS FORMATS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Citation
Ma. Hallett et D. Cannella, GATEKEEPING THROUGH MEDIA FORMAT - STRATEGIES OF VOICE FOR THE HIV-POSITIVE VIA HUMAN INTEREST NEWS FORMATS AND ORGANIZATIONS, Journal of homosexuality, 26(4), 1994, pp. 111-134
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology, Clinical","Social, Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Journal title
ISSN journal
00918369
Volume
26
Issue
4
Year of publication
1994
Pages
111 - 134
Database
ISI
SICI code
0091-8369(1994)26:4<111:GTMF-S>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
This research examines the extent to which HIV-positive voices are mar ginalized in the mainstream versus the ''alternative'' press. The cent ral claim of this research is that news media format considerations, c onstructed around what has come to be called ''media logic,'' leave pe rsons who are HIV-positive with comparatively little voice in the main stream press. By utilizing techniques of content analysis, the researc h examines 535 major HIV/AIDS-specific stories published in two opposi tional papers toward an assessment of the level of HIV-positive voice in each outlet. While arguments of ''homophobia'' have been previously used to explain bias in mainstream HIV/AIDS-coverage, this article as serts that ''hetero-centric'' bias is, in fact, embedded in the routin ized practices of mainstream ''news production.'' The article conclude s by suggesting that successful future HIV/AIDS activism demands a rec ognition of ''media logic'' and an adoption of its tactics.