Alcohol in the News: The Role for Researchers

摘要: And now, the news. Sex and drugs, suicide violence: This time we're not talking about mob. A national commission reports that because of them, today's American teenagers are less healthy than their parents were as teens. The leading cause teenage deaths: accidents caused by alcohol. Ten percent all boys, it turns out, try to commit suicide; 18% girls that. each year, one million become pregnant. (Tom Brokaw, NBC Nightly News, June 8, 1990)1 nation's beer makers have read George Bush's lips, even before his budget summitters decide which taxes raise, they're trying make sure isn't touched. Doubling federal excise tax on would bring in $3.5 billion while adding only a quarter cost six-pack. No one's what lawmakers will do, but $45 year industry has launched massive, multi-million-dollar campaign head them off. "No matter how you do it, working person catches rich get richer." "We ought be paying our fair share deficit, just drinkers" (Steve Lambright, Anheuser-Busch). Since 1951, tactics worked. But opponents say times changed. "An thai: had its increased since Harry Truman was President should obviously at very top list" (Patricia Taylor, Center for Science Public Interest). (Jacqueline Adams, reporting CBS Evening July 14, 1990)2 first story above is typical see news: brief, factually correct, devoid context. There no 30 seconds takes anchor meaning surface. Sandwiched between organized crime stock report, significance alcohol teen mortality lost. In contrast, second more depth, exploring an policy issue with great relevance prevention. fact, went discuss likelihood increasing if Congress White House agreed raise any taxes. Though in-depth stories such this occasionally seen, they far typical. way public thinks various approaches preventing alcohol-related problems largely dependent upon portrayed media, particularly Most people directly experience most know world. Even advent television, social commentator Walter Lippmann told us we understand world from "pictures heads."3 Now, ever, media deliver those pictures heads. Over years, body political science communications research indicated structure news terrific implications causes solutions perceived audience. Salmon Glasser note "[t]he press plays vitally important role process self-governance, provider information facilitator opinion."4 health advocates work realm opinion, land symbols emotion. unimportant. Information, drives us: 1. Each 105,000 deaths U.S. attributable alcohol.5 2. About 40% fatal crashes involve drivers BACs 0.10 or higher.6 3. Alcohol costs $90 annually expenditures related medical care, lost productivity, crime, law enforcement, premature death.7 All been well known some time, least among health, means enough move larger society information-saturated However, "realistically speaking, opinion consists views reach attention decision makers."8 problems-and solutions-must visible expect support change act. …