Liver Transplant News and Biases: A Ten-Year Review of Turkish Media

Authors : Ceren Yegen, Ahmet Faruk Çeçen, Volkan İnce

Pages : 194-201

Doi:10.35365/ctjpp.25.2.10

View : 45 | Download : 47

Publication Date : 2025-06-27

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Liver transplantation faces challenges from low public awareness, leading to a shortfall in organ donations, failing to meet patient needs. This research delves into the dynamics between media coverage within Turkey’s print press—specifically analyzing news from Sabah, Hürriyet, and Sözcü newspapers over a ten-year period—and the rates of liver transplantation. It aims to assess how print media coverage influences public understanding and the frequency of liver transplants, extending beyond mere volume of articles to include an analysis of how these stories are presented. It examines if there is a media bias in favor of living donor stories over those of deceased donors, thereby shaping public attitudes and behaviors regarding organ donation. This bias is reflected in the limited coverage of deceased organ donations, highlighting a gap in public awareness and understanding. Through the analysis of 280 articles, a significant link was found between the extent of news coverage and the number of liver transplants, indicating the press’s substantial impact on transplantation activities. Moreover, a correlation was identified between the scant coverage of deceased organ donations and the broader issue of limited public awareness in Turkey, highlighted by a comparative lack of focus on deceased donors in the media.
Keywords : karaciğer nakli, sağlık gazeteciliği, toplumsal farkındalık, organ bağışı

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL