The pandemic of COVID-19 which is believed to be caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a worldwide health crisis ever since the first case was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It moved swiftly to be present in more than 210 countries by March 2020; the World Health Organization finally announced it a pandemic in January 2020. Until July 15, 2020, more than 13 million cases were reported worldwide and probably 0.6 million deaths (Anwar et al., 2020). The advent of the pandemic was the stimulus for extended research into vaccine development. This assignment aims to examine a media report and its corresponding research study to determine the role of media in public health communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the accuracy with which global health issues are depicted in the media. The selected media report looks into the roles of mass media and public health communications under COVID-19, describing its influence on the course of the disease and public reaction.
The discussed media article critically evaluates the place of mass media and public health communication during the COVID-19 pandemic from December 2019 to July 2020. It states that the media served as a significant information source about the novel coronavirus, and the phenomenon of “COVID-19 infodemics” is mentioned. The research uncovers the social, cultural, and economic problems resulting from media coverage, including racial discrimination, fear induction, and unscientific cure promotion (Anwar et al., 2020). Notwithstanding these difficulties, the media was a key channel for the endorsement of health and hygiene practices and telehealth services by various health organizations like the CDC and WHO. To summarize, this report highlights the need to understand and study the media’s role in helping confront COVID-19 and other health emergencies globally.
Highlights
The media report highlights various aspects of the original research study on COVID-19, including its origin, spread, impact on public health, and the role of media in disseminating information. However, the focus is more on the societal and cultural implications of the pandemic, such as racial prejudices, psychological stress, and the spread of misinformation, rather than delving deeply into the scientific findings of the research study (Hange et al., 2022). While these aspects are undoubtedly important, the media report may only partially capture the breadth of the research study’s findings, including epidemiological data, clinical outcomes, and potential treatment strategies.
Exclusions
Some aspects of the original research study that should have been included in the media report include detailed methodology, specific epidemiological data, and clinical findings. While it may have been necessary for the journalist to simplify complex scientific details for a general audience, excluding these aspects could limit the readers’ understanding of the study’s implications (Sacco, 2021). Including these details could provide a more comprehensive view of the research study and potentially change the interpretation of its results by providing context and nuance.
Accuracy
The media report accurately summarizes the main findings and themes of the original research study. However, scientific concepts may be simplified or generalized to make them more accessible to a broader audience. Ensuring that any simplifications maintain the scientific accuracy of the information presented (Nazir et al., 2020). Additionally, the media report may only cover some of the research study’s results, possibly omitting specific findings that are less sensational but still relevant to understanding the study’s broader implications.
Conclusions
The conclusions drawn in the media report align with the broader themes and implications discussed in the original research study. Both documents emphasize the societal and public health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the crucial role of media in disseminating accurate information and combating misinformation (Nazir et al., 2020). While the media report may not delve into the specific conclusions drawn from the research study’s data, effectively, it captures the overarching messages and recommendations.
Language
The language and tone of the media report are likely tailored to appeal to a general audience, using more straightforward language and more accessible terms compared to the technical terminology used in the original research study. This adaptation aims to make the information more digestible and engaging for readers needing a background in scientific research (Abuhashesh et al., 2021). However, the differences in language and style could alter the nuanced meanings or interpretations of the research study, mainly if critical scientific concepts are oversimplified or misrepresented.
Outside sources
The media report does not explicitly reference any previous relevant studies, focusing primarily on summarizing the findings of the specific research study discussed. However, incorporating references to other relevant studies could provide additional context, support, or contrast to the findings presented, enhancing the credibility and depth of the reporting (Abuhashesh et al., 2021). Referencing other studies helps readers understand the broader scientific consensus or ongoing debates within the research community regarding the topic at hand. Integrating references to previous studies demonstrates thorough research and situates the current study within the broader scientific context.
In contrast, in the selected media report that deals with mass media’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic, the journalist seems to follow some of the norms that the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) discusses, particularly regarding accuracy and professionalism. The report gives a thorough overview of the COVID-19 pandemic that contains specific gross numbers, such as the number of affected countries and deaths, which is a principle of accuracy (de et al., 2022). The journalist also mentions the WHO’s statement on the COVID-19 pandemic situation, which further adds to the information’s reliability. Additionally, the report upholds professionalism by covering diverse aspects of the pandemic, such as its source, effect on health, and media’s part, with no sensationalism or biased language.
On the contrary, there are especially those moments where the journalist’s adherence to AHCJ principles could be better, mainly concerning the context and completeness. The report also focuses on the media’s role in distributing information and influencing public behavior during the pandemic. However, it needs to thoroughly analyze or discuss the media biases and misinformation situations that might arise. For example, the report states that the problem of people stigmatizing Asians and the emergence of conspiracy theories can be mentioned. However, the report does not need to discuss the subject further and discuss the global consequences of such phenomena on public health measures (de et al., 2022). This suspension of context might be the reason for the readers’ inability to grasp the intricacies behind the media coverage of health crises and the difficulties they encounter when making judgments about information reliability. The overall report gives valuable ideas of how mass media was involved in the COVID-19 pandemic but could be bettered by including a detailed analysis of the ethics of media outlined by the AHCJ to ensure readers get complete and accurate information.
Accuracy and Completeness:
Adherence: The journalist appears to adhere to the principle of accuracy and completeness by providing detailed information about the COVID-19 pandemic, its origins, spread, and impact on various aspects of society, including health, economy, and culture. The report includes statistics, such as the number of affected individuals and fatalities, as well as information about the virus’s symptoms and modes of transmission.
Violation: There might be instances where the report needs complete accuracy, such as attributing the virus to a specific bioweapons research facility without clear evidence. While the report mentions rumors and conspiracy theories, it does not adequately emphasize the need for evidence-based information and the dangers of spreading misinformation.
Contextualization and Providing Background Information:
Adherence: The journalist attempts to provide context by discussing previous pandemics, such as SARS and MERS, and their impact on public health and media coverage. By doing so, the report helps readers understand the broader context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its similarities and differences with past outbreaks.
Violation: While the report provides some background information, it could further contextualize the role of the media in global health crises by discussing relevant research studies or expert opinions on the topic. Additionally, the report could delve deeper into the socioeconomic factors influencing media coverage and public responses to health crises.
Avoiding Sensationalism and Fear-Mongering:
Adherence: The journalist avoids sensationalism and fear-mongering by presenting factual information about the pandemic without exaggerating or sensationalizing its impact. The report acknowledges the challenges and uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 but maintains a balanced tone.
Violation: There might be instances where the report inadvertently contributes to fear and anxiety, such as by highlighting racial prejudices and stigmatization associated with the virus’s origin. While it is essential to address these issues, the report could provide more solutions or resources for combating discrimination and promoting unity in response to the pandemic.
In summary, the analysis of media reports has highlighted several key findings regarding the portrayal of climate change in contemporary discourse. Firstly, there is a notable shift towards increased coverage and urgency surrounding climate-related issues, reflecting growing public awareness and concern. Secondly, there is a clear emphasis on the need for collective action and policy changes to mitigate the impacts of climate change (Anwar et al., 2020). Additionally, media narratives often underscore the disproportionate burden borne by marginalized communities and the importance of equity in addressing climate challenges. Overall, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions and driving action on climate change.
The media report accurately portrayed the original research study by providing comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, its origins, its impact, and the role of media in disseminating information. It effectively highlighted the importance of early recognition, prompt diagnostic measures, and the role of various stakeholders, including governments, healthcare systems, and the media, in controlling the spread of the disease (Anwar et al., 2020). The report also addressed the social and cultural issues surrounding the pandemic, such as racial prejudices and misinformation. Overall, the media report thoroughly analyzed the research study, contributing to public understanding of the global health crisis.
Interpreting media reports on global health research studies requires a critical approach that considers the information’s accuracy, completeness, and balance. This assignment underscores the importance of verifying information from reputable sources and evaluating the credibility of media reports (Patel et al., 2020). Additionally, it highlights the role of journalists in shaping public understanding of health issues and the ethical considerations involved in health reporting. Moving forward, it is essential to approach media reports with skepticism, critically analyzing the content and considering the potential biases or limitations inherent in the reporting process.
References
Anwar A, Malik M, Raees V, Anwar A. Role of Mass Media and Public Health Communications in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cureus. 2020 Sep 14;12(9):e10453. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10453. PMID: 33072461; PMCID: PMC7557800.
Hange N, Agoli AM, Pormento MKL, Sharma A, Somagutta MR, Paikkattil N, Jadhav A, Bethineedi D, Pisude P. Impact of COVID-19 response on public health literacy and communication. Health Promot Perspect. 2022 May 29;12(1):1-9. doi: 10.34172/hpp.2022.01. PMID: 35854843; PMCID: PMC9277294.
Sacco PL, De Domenico M. Public health challenges and opportunities after COVID-19. Bull World Health Organ. 2021 Jul 1;99(7):529-535. doi: 10.2471/BLT.20.267757. Epub 2021 Apr 29. PMID: 34248225; PMCID: PMC8243030.
Nazir, M., Hussain, I., Tian, J., Akram, S., Mangenda Tshiaba, S., Mushtaq, S., & Shad, M. A. (2020). A multidimensional model of public health approaches against COVID-19. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(11), 3780.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113780
Abuhashesh, M. Y., Al-Dmour, H., Masa’deh, R. E., Salman, A., Al-Dmour, R., Boguszewicz-Kreft, M., & AlAmaireh, Q. N. (2021, November). The role of social media in raising public health awareness during the pandemic COVID-19: an International Comparative Study. In Informatics (Vol. 8, No. 4, p. 80). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics8040080
de Las Heras-Pedrosa, C., Jambrino-Maldonado, C., Rando-Cueto, D., & Iglesias-Sánchez, P. P. (2022). COVID-19 study on scientific articles in health communication: a science mapping analysis in web of science. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1705. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031705
Patel SS, Moncayo OE, Conroy KM, Jordan D, Erickson TB. The Landscape of Disinformation on Health Crisis Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ukraine: Hybrid Warfare Tactics, Fake Media News and Review of Evidence. JCOM J Sci Commun. 2020;19(5):AO2. doi: 10.22323/2.19050202. Epub 2020 Sep 30. PMID: 34504624; PMCID: PMC8425291.
write