JOURNALISTS, COGNITION, AND THE PRESENTATION OF AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY

Cognitive processes can inform an understanding of newswork. In this c ase study, the authors examine a growing literature relating cognitive theories to newsmaking and then apply some of the principles in that literature to media coverage of EPA-mandated reformulated gasoline in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In an analysis of how local Milwaukee television news presented an epidemiologic study answering health complaints ass ociated with the gasoline additive, the authors find a number of cogni tive processes at work, especially those involving bias and error Fina lly, the authors consider implications of such processes for newsmakin g.