Sonya Forte Duhe

Changing the home nutrition environment: Effects of a nutrition and media literacy pilot intervention

The specific aim for this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition and media literacy intervention targeting elementary students and their parents. The purpose of the intervention was to increase child fruit and vegetables (FV) consumption and change the home nutrition environment (measured with FV availability and accessibility and parental social support). During the intervention, students learned about nutrition, the role media plays in shaping values concerning nutrition, and developed a media campaign for their parents. A quasi-experimental research design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. The media intervention was effective in changing the home environment.

Using Student-Produced Media to Promote Healthy Eating A Pilot Study on the Effects of a Media and Nutrition Intervention

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention in which fourth and fifth graders participated in an after-school program where they produced a media campaign that focused on increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption. Researchers measured the effectiveness of the media campaign in changing the home nutrition environment (e.g., FV availability and parental support). Quantitative and qualitative measures were also used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the childrens self-efficacy, motivation, and perceived parental social support related to FV consumption. Data from the parents indicated greater availability of FV at home and more instrumental support for their children to eat FV.

Disaster coverage does little to promote call for change

In comparing coverage of a 2005 train wreck in South Carolina, which resulted in nine deaths, neither the Aiken Standard nor the Augusta Chronicle did much to foster advocacy for change.

The Sustainable Newsroom of the Future: Can Media Newsrooms Become Sustainable and Still Break the News?.

This article is a case study examining the medias commitment to sustainability in one southern state. The researchers surveyed both broadcast and print newsroom managers in South Carolina and observed student run newsrooms within the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina. Interestingly, both print and broadcast news managers indicated that their organizations were committed to sustainability in the workplace. However, data suggest that sustainability appears to be basically disregarded in South Carolina newsrooms both professionally and student driven. However, the data did reveal results that could aid in the implementation of environmental friendly practices in a newsroom environment. Based upon their findings, researchers suggest a basic ten point plan for newsroom sustainability.

Network News Coverage of Avian Flu: Identifying the Characteristics of Risk

This study is the first of its kind examining network TV news coverage of avian flu over the past decade. It is the only study to date analyzing sources of avian flu media coverage and analyzing the stories for risk characteristics. Researchers found that prevention/preparedness effort was the most frequent frame type. Scientists/MDs were the most frequently quoted sources. A significant proportion of stories regarded the flu as a catastrophic, dreadful, and fatal risk.