Masters Degrees (Journalism)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Journalism) by Author "Birch Jeacocks, Kristen Leigh"

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    South African media and childbirth: an analysis of Living and Loving
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12) Birch Jeacocks, Kristen Leigh; Fourie-Basson, Wiida; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African private healthcare sector has the highest Caesarean section rate in the world. According to the latest study completed by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), approximately 77% of babies are delivered by Caesarean section in the private sector costing around R42,400 per operation compared to between R16,900 – R25,400 per vaginal birth (CMS, 2020:12). There has been an urgent calling for the reduction of what is likely to be extreme levels of medically unnecessary Caesarean section delivery rates. In the same breath, there has been a higher demand for a move away from medicalised births to a return to more natural ones involving less unnecessary intervention in low-risk pregnancies and labours. While the issue of medicalised birth is a multifaceted one, there is speculation as to whether the media has a role to play in painting birth and labour as an event filled with fear and risk that requires urgent, expert medical intervention. This study seeks to understand whether the popular Living and Loving magazine, that focuses on pregnancy, birth, and labour, amongst various other topics, portrays a dominant message concerning childbirth in its publication, and whether this message has changed over the years since its origination in the 1970s. Such a study will inform journalistic practices and demonstrate evidence as to whether journalists are sufficiently enabling readers to make informed decisions about childbirth by trusting the information from such a media product. A content analysis was completed of all articles relating specifically to birth published in Living and Loving between 1970 and 2019. Academic research in this area is limited in South Africa. A study such as this one is necessary in order to decipher as to whether the media are to blame for the number of discourses presently going on concerning Caesarean section rates, midwife-led births, and vaginal births. A major finding was that Living and Loving magazine seeks to actively educate women so that they can make empowered decisions regarding their birth plan. While the magazine was thorough in providing the pros and cons of all birth options, it was clear it leaned more towards vaginal birth without unnecessary intervention. However, this message changed slightly as the years went on, and it is assumed this is due to societal and journalistic pressures to remain objective and balanced as a publication.