Media Framing of Biotechnology Discourse
Summary
Media framing of biotechnology discourse investigates the ways in which journalistic and digital channels select, emphasise and package information about biological technologies. By shaping narrative frames—be they risk-centred, benefit-oriented or morality-driven—media outlets influence public understanding, trust and policy debates around applications such as genetically modified organisms, gene editing and synthetic biology. Scholars draw on framing theory, discourse analysis and computational text-mining to map recurring themes (for example, safety, naturalness or economic opportunity), to trace shifts in sentiment over time and across platforms, and to reveal how expert voices, interest groups and lay audiences co-construct meanings. International comparisons highlight how regulatory landscapes and cultural values modulate framing choices, while trend analyses show a gradual move towards more nuanced, less sensationalised coverage as scientific literacy and engagement tools evolve. This body of research underlines the global significance of framing effects in mediating social acceptance, informing regulatory decisions and guiding responsible innovation in biotechnology.
Research from Nature Portfolio
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Media Framing of Biotechnology Discourse publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in media framing of biotechnology discourse across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Media framing: The process by which information is selected and presented to audiences in ways that emphasise particular interpretations or angles.
Framing theory: A theoretical approach that examines how communication structures influence perception by highlighting specific aspects of an issue.
Clickbait: Headlines or content designed to attract attention and encourage clicks, often through sensational or exaggerated claims.
Readability: A measure of how easily written text can be understood by a target audience, often quantified by established readability formulas.
References
- The state of the ‘GMO’ debate - toward an increasingly favorable and less polarized media conversation on ag-biotech?. GM crops & food (2022).
- One issue, different stories: The construction of GMO issues on Chinese, American and British mainstream media portals. Cultures of Science (2019).
- Scientific clickbait: Examining media coverage and readability in genome-wide association research. PLOS ONE (2024).
- Expert Views on Communicating Genetic Technology Used in Agriculture. Food Ethics (2024).
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