Deconstructing Differential Drug Coverage within a Malaysian Media Source

Bibliographic Data

ID13912554
AuthorsO Hayden Griffin (0000-0002-2217-4015, University of Alabama at Birmingham, corresponding author), Lindsay Leban (0000-0003-1759-547X, University of Alabama at Birmingham), Darshan Singh (0000-0002-4432-2410, Universiti Sains Malaysia), Megan Webb (Department of Sociology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA), Suresh Narayanan (0000-0003-2558-9811, Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Year2023
Volume56
Issue2
Pages272-278
Publication date2023-03-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Psychoactive Drugs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0279-1072 • E-ISSN: 2159-9777
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02791072.2023.2186287
PMID36864012
OpenAlexW4322761036
LanguageEN
References cited18

Many researchers have noted that media coverage of drugs can be sensationalized and/or have questionable accuracy. Additionally, it has been alleged that the media often treats all drugs as harmful and can fail to differentiate between different types of drugs. Within this context, the researchers sought to deconstruct how media coverage was similar and/or different according to drug type within a national media outlet in Malaysia. Our sample comprised 487 news articles published over a two-year period. Articles were coded to reflect thematic differences in drug framing. We focus on five drugs widely used in Malaysia (amphetamines, opiates, cannabis, cocaine, and kratom) and assess the most frequent themes, crimes, and locations mentioned in reference to each drug. All drugs were primarily covered in a criminal justice context, and articles highlighted concern about the spread of these drugs and their abuse. Drug coverage varied, particularly in association with violent crimes, specific regions, and discussion of legality. We find evidence of both similarities and differences in how drugs were covered. Variation in coverage demonstrated that certain drugs were deemed a heightened threat, as well as reflected broader social/political processes shaping ongoing debates over treatment approaches and legality

Cannabis · Context (archaeology · Criminal justice · Criminology · Drug · Drugs of abuse · Framing (construction · Geography · Media coverage · Media studies · Political science · Principle of legality · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Alkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology · Law · Medicine · Psychedelics and Drug Studies · Psychology · Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Annonaceae

Tools

Open DOI