Knarksvamp eller mirakelmedicin? : Svenska massmediers rapportering om psilocybin

Wickzell, Arvid. Magic mushrooms or a miracle drug? The Swedish media coverage of psilocybin. Bachelor’s thesis, Umeå University, 2023. Abstract. This bachelor’s thesis presents a study on how Swedish mass media is covering the subject of psilocybin. With a social constructionist, critical discourse, framing and agenda setting perspective, the thesis aim is to analyze the media discourse around the subject and to answer the main research question; how does Swedish mass media report about psilocybin? The main question is followed by sub questions; (a) how is psilocybin being framed, (b) whose opinion is voiced in the media, (c) has the way mass media reports on the subject changed over time? The research questions are answered by using quantitative research method, and critical media discourse analysis, on material from four Swedish publications, both web and print based. The material spans from the year 1995 to 2022. Results show a change over time. A higher interest in the subject, and a change in types of texts being produced. A new way to frame the subject, changing from articles mainly about psilocybin in a crime context, to articles about psilocybin in a medical context. The opinions that are being voiced in the media are mainly by scientists, medical professionals, and law enforcement. Key words: agenda setting, drugs, debate, discourse analysis, framing, media, press, psilocybin, newspapers, Sweden.