Public Awareness and Donor Type Bias in Liver Transplantation News: Qualitative Research

Objective: Liver transplantation faces challenges from low public awareness, leading to a shortfall in organ donations, failing to meet patient needs. This research delves into the dynamics between media coverage within Türkiye's print press -specifically analyzing news from Sabah, Hürriyet, and Sözcü newspapers over a 10-year period- and the rates of liver transplantation. Material and Methods: It aims to assess how print media coverage influences public understanding and the frequency of liver transplants, extending beyond mere volume of articles to include an analysis of how these stories are presented. It examines if there is a media bias in favor of living donor stories over those of deceased donors, thereby shaping public attitudes and behaviors regarding organ donation. This bias is reflected in the limited coverage of deceased organ donations, highlighting a gap in public awareness and understanding. Results: Through the analysis of 280 articles, a significant link was found between the extent of news coverage and the number of liver transplants, indicating the press's substantial impact on transplantation activities. Conclusion: Moreover, a correlation was identified between the scant coverage of deceased organ donations and the broader issue of limited public awareness in Türkiye, highlighted by a comparative lack of focus on deceased donors in the media.