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
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.