A Country Comparative Analysis of International Print Media’s Framing of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Shumaila J. Bhatti State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • Paul P. Billinson State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry MPS 2019; University of Denver JD & MPP Candidate 2021-present
  • Lauren A. Cornell State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • Ashmita Das State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • Courtney Gammon Syracuse University
  • Lauren O. Kelly State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • Jeongwon Yang Syracuse University
  • Silje Kristiansen State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, framing, media coverage, content analysis, country comparison

Abstract

This study examines how newspapers in six countries frame the COVID-19 pandemic. The quantitative content analysis shows that most articles were written with a “consequence” or a “collective action” frame and portrayed the pandemic in a social and national context. Journalists used thematic and loss frames more often than episodic and gain frames. Framing differed between countries. Pakistani articles had a social justice perspective. South Korean and South African journalists employed the collective action frame more than other countries. German articles used gain more than loss frames. South Korean and Argentinian journalists used the individual action frame the least and focused stronger on the future than journalists in other countries. U.S. articles used the uncertainty frame more than articles from other countries. These differences might help understand the different approaches countries take in trying to manage the spread of the virus and give some insights into how people across the world take different actions.

Author Biographies

Shumaila J. Bhatti, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry

PhD student

Paul P. Billinson, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry MPS 2019; University of Denver JD & MPP Candidate 2021-present

Master of Science

Lauren A. Cornell, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Master student

Ashmita Das, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry

PhD student

Courtney Gammon, Syracuse University

Master student

Lauren O. Kelly, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Undergraduate student

Jeongwon Yang, Syracuse University

Master student

Silje Kristiansen, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Assistant Professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Department: Environmental Studies

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Published

2022-02-13

Issue

Section

Articles