Examination of the main issues of media reporting on post-natal depression

Abstract

The issue of post-natal depression has received renewed media attention in Australia in recent years. This paper will look at how two different news outlets providing reporting on the subject, examining and comparing the way in which both discuss the subject. These two outlets are the Herald Sun and The West Australian. The Herald Sun is a very successful publication that has become one of Victoria's major newspapers. On the other hand, The West Australian is a news platform and trademark of West Australian Newspapers Limited.

In recent articles published by the Herald Sun, post-natal depression is discussed in a very scientific way. Nevertheless, these articles also look at the issue in very personal terms. When looking at these articles, statistics are provided to reinforce the idea that post-natal depression is a big problem in Australia and all over the world. An article published by the Herald and carried out by AAP (2012) looked closely at the efforts made by the Australian government to reduce the number of mothers suffering from post-natal depression and as help to those experiencing post-natal depression, in order to reduce the impact of the symptoms of this medical condition to enable these mothers to live better and happier lives. The article indulges in stereotyping and scapegoating, claiming that there are certain social groups that are more prone to post-natal depression by using the findings of a number of studies to support the argument featured in the article.