Media Response to Health Emergencies: An Analysis of International Newspapers Coverage of Early Days of COVID-19 Breakout in China

This study investigated the dominant perception triggered among the foreign residents in China by international newspapers’ coverage of early months of COVID-19 outbreak in China. In total, 12 leading newspapers from USA, UK, Malaysia, Nigeria, Australia, and Tanzania, with two selected from each country; and 10 samples are taken from each newspaper, totalling 120 samples. Two focus groups of seven members each were created and each of the groups separately discussed the samples listing their perception of the newspapers’ articles. A control group of 13 participants was also created. Also, the views of 247 foreigners resident in China during the outbreak were sampled. Results from the study showed that in the early months of COVID-19 newspapers from USA, UK, and Australia sensationalized most of their news while some of their reports showed some political slant. However, most news reports from Nigeria, Tanzania, and Malaysia were less sensational. The results from the study and control groups were also backed by the results from the survey sample where most of the respondents said the news reports created fear and panic among them while containing less educative information. This study recommends prioritization of media social responsibility in the coverage of health emergencies.