Citation

Blows S. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2003; 7(1): 24-31.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The mass media is known to influence community attitudes on public health issues but its role in relation to speed and speed cameras has not previously been examined. This study analyses the contribution of two newspapers to forming and maintaining these attitudes. Discourse analysis, a qualitative research method, was used to examine the text on speed and speed cameras in the 'news' sections of two Sydney newspapers from 1996 to 2001. The discourse frequently depicted speed cameras as an infringement on privacy and freedom, and a means for tax collection. However, the discourse changed around holiday periods when speed was considered an important risk factor for car crashes and speed cameras were portrayed as legitimate tools for reducing road traffic injury. By taking advantage of the newsworthy elements of the anti-speed, pro-speed camera debate, road safety advocates can encourage and assist the media to reframe the negative discourse to resemble the positive discourse.