Study lays foundation for future reporting on alcohol and other drugs

A new report released by Mindframe, following a comprehensive media monitoring study, is set to build on the evidence-base of the impact that Mindframe’s approach has on media reporting of alcohol and other drugs.

Comprising a review of 2,000+ media articles, the work establishes a baseline dataset of media entries published prior to the implementation of the Mindframe for Alcohol and Other Drugs guidelines.

The study was conducted by experts in the AOD research sector at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, led by Dr Matthew Sunderland. A detailed report of the study can be downloaded from the Mindframe website.

“This work will allow for future research to monitor changes in the reporting of AOD related issues in the media. It will also allow for evaluation of the impact of the Mindframe for Alcohol and Other Drugs guidelines on media practices,” Centre Director and NHMRC Investigator Fellow at the University of Sydney, Professor Maree Teesson AC, FASSA, FAHMS, said.
The majority of reviewed articles were primarily focused on alcohol, cannabis, or methamphetamine. Criminal justice, law enforcement, or alcohol/drug-related crime were the main topic of identified articles.

It was also found that almost half of the media articles already adhered to the recommendations of the Mindframe for Alcohol and Other Drugs guidelines.

Everymind Acting Program Manager, Sara Bartlett is pleased to have the opportunity to share the learnings from this research with the sector.

“Mindframe is committed to building on the evidence-base of best practice communication on AOD issues. This is a big step forward in developing a clear map of the impact the Mindframe for Alcohol and Other Drugs guidelines is having on media practices,” she said.

For more information and a copy of the media monitoring study, please visit: