Abstract
The COVID-19 phenomenon is continually evolving. This longitudinal study evaluated COVID-19 communication patterns of mainstream Indian and Pakistani English Newspapers—Dawn and Hindustan Times—at the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic and precisely after 12 months. The study has analyzed editorial data of one year in two phases— March 1st to 31st, 2020, and April 1st to 30th, 2021—by applying thematic analysis with media framing theory. After precise data mining using open and axial coding, the study has compared, contrasted, and evaluated thematic patterns in both phases. Themes that are common in both phases are Lockdown; Economy; Health; Infodemic; Education and Precautionary Measures. Two contrary themes are Vaccines Discrimination and Oxygen Shortage. The findings denoted that editorials of two neighboring countries presented almost similar issues. The editorials educated and informed the policymakers, government officials, and people about the changing and developing nature of the COVID-19 epidemic. This comparative study adds to the voice of COVID-19 communication phenomena and health communication literature.
Authors
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Noman Ishfaq
- M. Phil Scholar, Department of Media Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
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Awais H. Gillani
- Assistant Professor, Department of Media Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
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Saleem Akhtar
- Lecturer, Faculty of Media and Communication Studies, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Keywords
Communication Phenomenon, COVID-19, India, Lockdown, Longitudinal, Newspapers, Pakistan, Oxygen, Vaccine, Thematic Analysis
DOI Number
10.47205/plhr.2021(5-II)2.46
Page Nos
613-637
Volume & Issue
v5-2
