The Ethics of Journalistic Coverage of Health Issues on News Websites and Their Impact on Professional Performance from the Perspective of Media Practitioners

Document Type : Original Article

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Lecturer of Journalism, Department of Media, Faculty of Arts, Sohag University

Abstract

This study aims to examine the state of journalistic coverage of health issues on digital platforms from the perspective of communication professionals. It focuses on assessing the adherence of journalists to ethical principles when covering health topics, analyzing the professional and ethical challenges they encounter, and evaluating the impact of these challenges on the quality of their journalistic performance. Additionally, the study proposes effective mechanisms that could contribute to reinforcing adherence to professional ethics , The researcher employed the in-depth interview as one of the primary qualitative methods in media research. A purposive sample of (53) journalists specializing in health coverage was selected. These participants hold editorial positions and bear various responsibilities related to monitoring the Ministry of Health and covering health-related issues in their different forms. The sample reflected diversity across state-owned, private, and party-affiliated newspapers. This comprehensive approach aimed to ensure a wide range of perspectives and to develop an accurate understanding of the ethical and professional standards governing health journalism within various digital contexts.
The findings revealed several important indicators, It was found that journalists’ commitment to ethical principles in covering health issues is relative, with many making efforts to ensure accuracy and verify medical information, while avoiding sensationalism or spreading panic. The results also highlighted that the professional environment and institutional structures impose complex conditions that create direct pressures on journalists working in health-related topics. These pressures include inadequate specialized training in health journalism, ethical challenges in the relationship between journalists and pharmaceutical or medical institutions, difficulties in mastering medical terminology, the absence of clear editorial policies on health coverage, and journalists' heavy reliance on official data without sufficient space for analytical or interpretive reporting. Based on these findings, the study recommends the establishment of a comprehensive editorial system that focuses on the ethics of health coverage, alongside the continuous development of training programs for specialized journalists. This would help achieve professional and ethical coverage that meets the public’s needs and enhances their trust in the media. 
 
 
 
 

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