UK national newspaper coverage of hybrid embryos: source strategies and struggles

This report examines the media debates around animal- human admixed embryos as a struggle for favourable coverage between different groups of news sources. The newspaper reporting of hybrid embryos offers insight into an often bitterly fought war of words between two broad interest groups: a large and powerful coalition of scientists, funding bodies, charities and pro-hybrid politicians on the one hand; and on the other, a less cohesive group of religious figures (principally Catholics), ethicists, campaigners, and anti-hybrid embryo politicians. This study also offers insights into the quiet tactical work of media management that usually underpins such struggles