Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1995

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Communication

Major Professor

James Crook

Committee Members

Gary Schneider, Mark Miller

Abstract

This study examined the attitudes of editors and reporters from Tennessee's twenty-seven daily newspapers concerning pesticide residues in food. The researcher developed a survey instrument to gather information about the attitudes held by this subgroup because they are influential in shaping the public's opinion. This subgroup's attitude toward this agricultural issue is important because for more than thirty years, more than ninety percent of the U.S. population has lived off the farm. The decline in the farm population lead to a decrease in agricultural literacy—knowledge of food and fiber production and its social, economic, and political significance. When agricultural issues are presented to the non-farm public, they often rely upon journalists for information about these complex issues. Each daily newspaper was contacted. The researcher obtained two names: one for the editor who actually writes the opinion for the newspaper and the name of the reporter who would be sent to cover an agricultural news story. A survey was sent to each of these individuals. The survey population consisted of fifty-four journalists. Seventeen out of the twenty-seven editors returned the survey for a 63% return rate. Nineteen out of twenty-seven reporters returned the survey for a 70% return rate. The survey results indicated which sources this subgroup would trust for more information on pesticide residues in food from both a professional and a consumer perspective. Research indicates that journalists would like more information about pesticide residues in food and about food production and/or processing. The researcher also made various recommendations based upon the journalists' responses.

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