Is the press properly presenting the epidemiological data on COVID-19? An analysis of newspapers from 25 countries.
J Public Health Policy
; 42(3): 359-372, 2021 Sep.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1338584
ABSTRACT
We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess how the top 3 highest circulation newspapers from 25 countries are comparing and presenting COVID-19 epidemiological data to their readers. Of 75 newspapers evaluated, 51(68%) presented at their websites at least one comparison of cases and/or deaths between regions of their country and/or between countries. Quality assessment of the comparisons showed that only a minority of newspapers adjusted the data for population size in case comparisons between regions (37.2%) and between countries (25.6%), and the same was true for death comparisons between regions (27.3%) and between countries (27%). Of those making comparisons, only 13.7% explained the difference in the interpretation of cases and deaths. Of 17 that presented a logarithmic curve, only 29.4% explained its meaning. Although the press plays a key role in conveying correct medical information to the general public, we identified inconsistencies in the reporting of COVID-19 epidemiological data.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Global Health
/
COVID-19
/
Newspapers as Topic
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
J Public Health Policy
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S41271-021-00298-7
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