Read on Twitter
1/ 
I implore Australian media to pay *special* attention to headlines (like this one) about #covid19aus vaccines over the next year. I know that well meaning, knowledgeable journalists who write the article don't always choose its headlines. If this explains such blunders..
I implore Australian media to pay *special* attention to headlines (like this one) about #covid19aus vaccines over the next year. I know that well meaning, knowledgeable journalists who write the article don't always choose its headlines. If this explains such blunders..
2/ Then the process needs work. There may be other factors/processes at play - I won't speculate.
All I can say is that we're at a critical point in the fight against #covid19aus, and probably the one where media will be most pivotal.
All I can say is that we're at a critical point in the fight against #covid19aus, and probably the one where media will be most pivotal.
3/ Incredibly, the next step is NOT finding an effective vaccine! We're in the middle of that now- it's looking good.
The next step is collecting more data + informing public accurately about what they can expect from the vaccine.
If the media mess this up, we mess up rollout.
The next step is collecting more data + informing public accurately about what they can expect from the vaccine.
If the media mess this up, we mess up rollout.
4/ I know it's a bit much - surely the importance of accurate headlines applies to all issues. It's not the millionth time someone has levelled this critique at the media.
5/ Sure. But heading into 2021, I cannot think of a more consequential matter for humanity than a COVID19 vaccine. There is not an ounce of exaggeration in that sentence. Informing people accurately is critical to the mission. And the media holds enormous influence over this.
6/ As an example, the above posted headline did not inform accurately.
It misinformed.
If people wanted to learn more, they were paywalled. The comments section on the social media post of this article was replete with not just anti-vaxxers, but something more concerning:
It misinformed.
If people wanted to learn more, they were paywalled. The comments section on the social media post of this article was replete with not just anti-vaxxers, but something more concerning:
7/ ... people who appeared to be fence-sitters who seemed put off by the headline. This is the worst case scenario.
I don't care about the 6% who'll def not get the vaccine.
I'm concerned about the 36% who have low levels of hesitancy. https://csrm.cass.anu.edu.au/research/publications/covid-19-vaccine-hesitancy-and-resistance-correlates-nationally-representative
I don't care about the 6% who'll def not get the vaccine.
I'm concerned about the 36% who have low levels of hesitancy. https://csrm.cass.anu.edu.au/research/publications/covid-19-vaccine-hesitancy-and-resistance-correlates-nationally-representative
8/ I'm not asking for Big pharma propaganda - simply that headlines reflect the articles on the matter of vaccines.
This one by @theheraldsun did the opposite. Any outlet could make such an error.
Note: Once I alerted the journalist, it was fixed promptly (well, partly).
This one by @theheraldsun did the opposite. Any outlet could make such an error.
Note: Once I alerted the journalist, it was fixed promptly (well, partly).
9/ Is it really a terrible, impractical idea for subeditors to get the OK from journalists on all headlines pertaining to vaccines until rollout in 2021?
Its not a perfect solution against all misleading headlines, but we don't need perfect, we just need progress on the project.
Its not a perfect solution against all misleading headlines, but we don't need perfect, we just need progress on the project.
10/ I've frequently seen outstanding work done by Australian media in 2020 in relation to the pandemic and bushfires. I hope they can apply the same rigour to the critical issue of mass vaccination.
11/ If we the public see misleading reporting on vaccines, we should raise the alarm with outlet, on social media, and with regulators who must be vigilant in the coming months - @AusPressCouncil etc
12/ Matrix 4 is coming out in 2021. There is hope.
fin.
fin.
