Local Newspaper Coverage of Health Authority Fairness During Cancer Cluster Investigations

This study explores local newspaper coverage of official cancer cluster investigations in seven different communities. The authors developed the underlying coding schema based on social-psychological research about how individuals assess the fairness of decision makers. The analysis therefore focuses on the degree to which news coverage describes science authorities as being procedurally just, which includes relational fairness and voice. The findings suggest that a significant amount of cancer cluster news coverage includes content consistent with procedural aspects of fairness. The authors also found substantial content suggesting that decision makers should “do more” to address community concerns. The authors hypothesize that such content may also be relevant to procedural justice. The discussion addresses the theoretical and practical use of additional research examining the media portrayal of scientific authorities as fair or unfair.