They Can Read All about it: An Analysis of Global Newspaper Reporting of Genetically Modified Crop Varieties between 1996 and 2013

Abstract

This paper provides an analysis of the reporting of genetically modified (GM) crop varieties by newspapers across the globe between 1996 and 2013. The aim of the research was to explore whether the significant increase in GM crop area between those years had been paralleled by an increase in press reporting and, if so, whether this was linked to more positive or negative views of the technology. The results suggest that the increase in GM area has been paralleled by an increase in newspaper reporting, and the pattern over time is similar across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania. Topics typically associated with critiques of GM had significantly lower article counts compared with some that could be associated with more positive visions of GM. Indeed, the pattern suggests reporting that was, if anything, mildly positive towards GM up until 2013.