Sources of Health News
Reporters from large media outlets often have medical backgrounds, so they're well-equipped to report complex scientific information in a way that the general public can understand. Though many health stories are balanced and accurate, others try to condense complicated information into a short news story and may oversimplify it. Identifying the sources of health news can help you decide whether the information you're reading is credible or not.
Reporting complex scientific information
The reporting of complex scientific information in health news is a difficult task, especially when journalists don't specialise in the subject. Reporters can also struggle with the uncertainty that often surrounds stories, especially if they are not familiar with the iterative and provisional nature of scientific inquiry. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to avoid misrepresentation and ensure that health news stories are balanced and informative.
Investigative journalism is an important approach to reporting complex scientific information, as it adds a contextualized perspective and allows journalists to convey diverse views and critical reflections. In an ideal world, journalists would never exaggerate research results, exaggerating the benefits while omitting potential risks and limitations. However, in the real world, scientists, science communicators and journalists are constantly under pressure to produce newsworthy content.
Despite this pressure, journalists need to balance the media's attention with scientific evidence. As a result, there are tensions between reporting complex scientific information and promoting misinformation. While it may seem tempting to present an oversimplified or incomplete version of a complex issue, audiences may be less likely to trust the information provided by experts.
In addition to providing clear messages, public health communicators must provide accurate data and engage in timely communication course corrections. They must also be responsive to a range of media reporters and avoid politicizing their coverage. They must also take into account the complexities of scientific communication and engage with marginalized communities.
The translation of scientific information from journal article to press release can also be problematic. News reporting often fails to mention important limitations and risks, which is often detrimental to public health. Furthermore, journalists should always make clear what limitations a new medical advance may have and how long it may be available. For example, a new drug is only effective in early stages of a disease, so reporters should explicitly state this. They should also consider the effect of their reporting on the person suffering from the disease.
The public's confidence in the results of medical research is under threat when over-reporting flawed and outdated research. Many open-access articles are peer-reviewed, but that doesn't mean they are trustworthy. Two prestigious journals recently retracted two papers on the COVID-19 drug.
The media needs to rebuild its scientific expertise. The lack of proper training for journalists may have contributed to inaccurate and exaggerated stories. Research shows that the press releases for research stories have contributed to this. This may be because journalists don't have the background to deal with complex science. However, a well-written press release can help journalists understand complex scientific information and avoid making mistakes.
Relating personal stories to medical news
When reading medical news stories, be wary of dramatic claims made by the media. In general, such stories don't prove anything about health or medical treatments. However, well-done studies can provide solid evidence. The key is to look for the study methods, which are often less dramatic, and to verify their validity.
Identifying sources of health news
One way to assess the credibility of health information is to identify the sources. Ideally, the sources will present information consistent with the most current scientific evidence. This means they should meet standards for creating and reviewing scientific content. In addition, they should be transparent about their affiliations. For example, a professional association may have a research and lobbying arm that aligns with its values and principles. However, the association should keep a firewall between political messages and the health information it provides.
Identifying sources of health news can be challenging. While it is a reasonable place to start, it is not a complete solution. A source's credibility may not be a reliable indicator of the quality of the information. Even organizations with high-profile reputations can make mistakes. For instance, the World Health Organization was slow to acknowledge the role of airborne transmission in the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took down three pieces of guidance from its website for failing to adhere to scientific standards.
To improve health news quality, SMPs must establish an evaluation system to identify sources and how they influence content. In addition, these platforms must not attach advertisements to health information, which could compromise its quality. They should also separate their profit motives from efforts to elevate credible sources. Lastly, they should collaborate with independent third parties to develop moderation strategies to protect the health of their users.
While SMPs should consider the credibility of health news, it should avoid offering a judgment about whether a particular source is trustworthy or not. Instead, SMPs should give contextual information as a "credibility cue" but should avoid providing an opinion or making a formal designation of a source as credible.
Besides the NLM, there are a few other ways to identify reliable sources of health news. One method is to check if a health website is certified by the Health on the Net Foundation. This nonprofit organization is based in Switzerland and maintains high standards for health news and information. HON-certified health news websites are expected to provide accurate information and respect the privacy of patients. They also have to provide evidence for their claims.
Identifying sources of health news is an important task for health care consumers. A credible source will have processes that reduce the possibility of conflict of interest and promote accountability. Sources that employ these practices will be more likely to provide quality information. However, source credibility does not equate to the quality of health information. However, it may be a useful indicator for consumers.
When evaluating the credibility of a health news source, it is important to consider the types of organizations it represents. Most news organizations will employ citations and date labels and offer opportunities for public comment. They should also be independent from funders.