Media and Health Policy Process

Health policy process much depends on the flow of influence and the flow of accountability of government (political party, opposition, administration), interests groups, media (newspapers, TV, radio), and community. This post tries to answer how the accountability of the media or interest groups influences their contribution to the policy process.

The media such as newspapers, radio and TV that accountable to their shareholders and act as surrogate for community views, influence their contribution to the policy process in some ways. Firstly, the coverage of media can broadly affect policy without conveying sensational issue. For example, lifestyle news (such as smoking) can affect policy. Although the press certainly did not discover the dangers of smoking, over the past quarter-century, this has not only changed individual smoking habits (lifestyle) but also helped create a climate in which central and local governments have been pushed toward tougher antismoking policies.

Secondly, news or programs sometimes sensationalise and overplay stories, exaggerating risks and scaring the public. Good examples of this are issues in environmental and other areas involving public safety. This produces governmental responses such as requiring removal of asbestos in schools or lead paint in homes that may go much further than scientific evidences.

Finally, powerful media basically sets the governmental agenda or just moves higher on the agenda an issue previously rising at grass roots.