Communication Phenomena of COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study of Mainstream Indo-Pak English Newspapers

Noman Ishfaq; Awais H. Gillani; Saleem Akhtar

doi:10.47205/plhr.2021(5-II)2.46

Communication Phenomena of COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study of Mainstream Indo-Pak English Newspapers

Authors

Noman Ishfaq

M. Phil Scholar, Department of Media Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan

Awais H. Gillani

Assistant Professor, Department of Media Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan

Saleem Akhtar

Lecturer, Faculty of Media and Communication Studies, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2021(5-II)2.46

Keywords

Communication Phenomenon COVID-19 India Lockdown Longitudinal Newspapers Pakistan Oxygen Vaccine Thematic Analysis

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.