Vaccine scares: what role do the media play?

Editorial Board

Editorial Board

April 20th, 2012

Editorial Board
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‘Scare stories about vaccinations are not created by the media but can be exploited to sell newspapers or boost TV ratings, according to award-winning investigative journalist Brian Deer.’

Brian-Deer1He said journalists should be careful about the integrity and expertise of the sources they use when reporting about alleged vaccine controversies.

Deer also believes that the era of “big media” shaping the public agenda is over now that new media channels have handed ultimate power to consumers.

Brian Deer was speaking to Vaccines Today at a conference on immunisation policy hosted by Fondation Merieux.

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