Communication, media and genetically modified food: A politicized reading

The recent horsemeat scandal raises many important questions about technological developments in food production. First discussed is why food production and consumption practices should be recognized as late modern risks and which analytical perspective in the domain of media and science is called for to study related food communication and media practices. However, since many democratic challenges arise, a perspective is put forward that draws on several studies of genetically modified food and enables an evaluation of public and media discourses and the extent to which they contribute to democratic debate. More specifically, discussed is how a politicized reading illustrates the extent to which there is a struggle between politicization and de-politicization processes in these discourses, illustrating the ideological nature of communication practices on food. Particular attention will be devoted to the role of arguments about science in discursive practices and the strategies that characterize these discourses.