What is it about?

We conducted a content analysis of newspaper editorials on the Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak in Korea. Subject matter, social and personal efficacy information, and affective tone were evaluated using a mixed-methods approach. An analysis of 241 publications with the acronym “MERS” revealed that public health was the most salient, followed by leadership/governance, coping, medical system, and economic consequences. Societal efficacy information was more frequent than personal efficacy information, and a negative tone was predominant. However, leadership became the most frequent in the later stages. Personal efficacy information decreased over time and across content with a negative tone.

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Why is it important?

We believe that the findings from this study will provide a comprehensive understanding of and the basis for evaluating how the news media respond to a health crisis.

Perspectives

News media is an important player in risk society, and we need not only consume the information they provide but also understand how they provide it.

Youngkee Ju
Hallym University

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This page is a summary of: Emerging Infectious Disease Content in Newspaper Editorials: Public Health Concern or Leadership Issue?, Science Communication, April 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1075547017705392.
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