Abstract

After decades of emergence, HIV/AIDS remain a topical but contentious issue. There are several scholarly publications on the HIV/AIDS pandemic but not much has been done on media objectivity/language use/ideological stances, hence, the need for this study. Herein, questions considered thereof are: What is the dominant significance that is possible in media reportage of scientific controversy; especially, medical issues like HIV/AIDS? How objective is the Discover reportage of scientific controversies/arguments about HIV/AIDS? What ideology is communicated and legitimised in the language use of actors in Duesberg case as reported in Discover? The Agenda Setting Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis [CDA] form the theoretical groundwork. This study is a single-case research via a purposive sample/sampling. Through qualitative and quantitative data analysis, findings reveal that the Discover magazine reporter is objective/covers aspects not adequately investigated in “mainstream” media. Also, language is an ideological weapon that can categorise/construct/censor dissenting voices/ promote the interests and positions of government and corporate establishments. This means the media have to wake up to the seeming controversies in science. Indeed, while a cautious and scientifically guided life-style is encouraged, “science” information audiences need critical mindedness. The study recommends increased/specialized/objective reportage of health/medical science via careful use of language.

Key Words: Media Role, Ideology, HIV/AIDS, Agenda Setting, Critical Discourse Analysis

*    Samuel Alaba Akinwotu, Ph.D. is a Lecturer in the Department of English Studies, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.

** Isaac Imo-Ter Nyam is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, College of Social Sciences, Veritas University, Abuja, [The Catholic University of Nigeria]

#   Editor’s Note: This is a fuller version of the article which was first published in the Volume 9 Number 2 (October 2017) edition of this journal.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 10, No. 1, April 2018,   115 – 125