Discursive Representations of Controversial Issues in Medicine and Health = La rappresentazione discorsiva di questioni controverse in ambito medico e sanitario

This issue of LCM addresses representations of controversial issues in medicine and health from the perspective of discourse analysis. The focus is on science communication in society, where the production and consumption of scientific information involve, affect and (dis)connect multiple actors, stakeholders and multiple publics, sub-publics as well as counter-publics. The picture that emerges is one of remarkable complexity where different values, opinions and beliefs are shaped by a multiplicity of social and cognitive factors. It also highlights the role played by the mass media, which are the main source of information for the lay public. This thematic issue contributes to the national research project “Knowledge Dissemination across Media in English: Continuity and Change in Discourse Strategies, Ideologies, and Epistemologies” (PRIN 2015TJ8ZAS).