RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
A1 Sunyík, Viktória
A1 Uhrecký, Branislav
T1 Cancer misinformation: How alternative media create false health narratives
JF Diskuze v psychologii
YR 2025
VO 6
IS 1
SP 37
OP 44
DO 10.5507/dvp.2025.006
UL https://diskuzevpsychologii.upol.cz/en/artkey/dps-202401-0005.php
AB This paper focuses on a discourse analysis of the communication strategies used by disinformation media to present unsubstantiated, distorted, and misleading information about the causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer as trustworthy, while simultaneously casting doubt on standard medical procedures. The analysis included 14 articles from three disinformation websites. The main discursive practises identified in the analysis were: the use of categorical statements, appeals to emotion, the use of statistical and scientific terminology and appeals to authority, conspiracy narratives and the idealisation of natural treatments. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms through which alternative media influence perceptions of health-related topics, which may support the development of more effective communication aimed at fostering critical evaluation of health information.