Roles Of Media In Risk Communication During The Early Phase Of The COVID-19 Pandemic：Comparing The Cases Of Pakistan And China

In this Research Paper,an effort has been made to study the roles of media in risk communication,especially in framing of the COVID-19 across Pakistan and China during the initial phase of the pandemic.The research study is aimed at understanding the ways of news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic by the top English newspapers in Pakistan and China.The paper analyzes frames and themes of COVID-19 in the print media of Pakistan and China in light of the framing theory.The most salient frames used during COVID-19 have been highlighted in this research paper which also help us to understand the similarities and differences in the media coverage as well as the roles of the media played in risk communication.No doubt,the media frames provide useful guidance for policy actions,decisions and practical steps to be taken by the respective governments.In this connection,the media frames highlight problems,offer moral judgments,diagnose causes,and also recommend remedial measures.Besides,they may also provide useful insight for policy and decision makers at the local and national level.After analyzing the news stories and news reports related to COVID-19 in the newspapers like the China Daily and the Dawn from January 2020 to February 2021,we have gathered frames categorized into 11 themes found almost consistent during the early phase of the COVID-19 covered in our study.However,the incidence,salience and very nature of these frames in the news stories and news reports are quite different in China and Pakistan.During our study period,we find that the China Daily and the Dawn newspaper have an important role in risk communication through the use of the frames in their news stories and media reports during the initial phase of COVID-19.In both newspapers,we find that both the newspapers remained an important source of timely and credible information related to the COVID-19 which makes the mainstream media an important stakeholder in the whole process of effective risk communication.We find that both newspapers provide useful insights for their governments and the public at large through the use of multiple and diverse frames.The study of news stories and news reports on the COVID-19 is of great significance as the reporting of the pandemic has played a pivotal role in the construction of the health emergencies.The framing of health crisis such as the COVID-19 conveys many lessons for the mainstream media,public authorities,and the common people.Analyzing the news coverage of health emergencies and their framing particularly related to COVID-19 can better prepare and help us in understanding and tackling the future epidemics and outbreaks of infectious diseases.