Examining the Uptake of Media Guidelines

doi:10.1017/9781009382007.010

10 - Examining the Uptake of Media Guidelines

A Corpus Analysis of Obesity Representation in Australian and UK News

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 December 2025

Monika Bednarek ,

Carly Bray ,

Tara Coltman-Patel and

Edited by

Niall Curry and

Gavin Brookes: Affiliation:
Lancaster University
Niall Curry: Affiliation:
Manchester Metropolitan University
Robbie Love: Affiliation:
Aston University

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Summary

It is widely recognised that weight stigma in news media is a problem, with selection of images, language, and news frames shown to contribute to negative and stereotypical representations. In response, several Australian, UK, and international organisations active in improving perceptions and treatment of people with obesity have published media guidelines. Some of these guidelines have been developed drawing on linguistic research or expertise and thus represent clear attempts at societal impact (changes in journalism practices, with presumed flow-on effects on policymaking, public perception, discourse, etc.). This chapter first reviews the recommendations that obesity media guidelines make, focusing specifically on language use. We show similarities and differences across six guidelines published for Australian, UK, and international contexts. Taking a corpus linguistic approach, we then examine to what extent selected advice on language choices from the guidelines is adhered to in journalism in Australia. We analyse dispreferred language (identity-first language and use of nominal-adjectival, the obese), preferred language (person-first language), and pejorative versus euphemistic labels. Focusing on people-first and identity-first language, we also include a comparison with a similar British corpus. The chapter concludes with critical reflections on application and impact, including the potential role of corpus linguistics in this area.

Keywords

obesity weight stigma news media guidelines person-first language

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Type: Chapter
Information: Applications of Corpus Linguistics
Established and Emergent Contexts
, pp. 196 - 232

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009382007.010 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2026

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