ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the relationship between the mass media, ethics and security in relation to infectious disease outbreaks. It outlines our understanding of human and national security, and the role played by the traditional mass media in both. The mass media has been a primary mode of disseminating information and encouraging debate and critique on important social and political issues. In realm of health, observers perceive the news media as a direct threat to security because of its propensity for inaccurate and sensationalist reporting. Critiques of the news media's coverage of infectious disease threats come more from health professionals than the public. These contradictory capacities and the consequent dilemmas over whether and how to regulate the media are well-trodden turf in media and political studies. The security of economies, health, food, community, person, environment and politics are predicated on human capacities to communicate adequately with one another and to alter their choices and behaviour following the receipt of new information.
