A disease of the rich and mighty: A misnomer in COVID-19 communication across the media in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Given the high coverage of the mass media and its significant influence in communicating evidence-based health information, the aim of this study was to describe the misnomer in COVID-19 communication across the media in Nigeria. Methods: This was a review of newspaper articles that had been published between 1st February and 31st May 2020. Quantitative content analysis was used to describe and analyze the themes which characterized media representations of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. Identification of codes and themes was done by the researchers and were used to broadly categorize the data obtained into ‘general’ and ‘thematic’ categories. Coding for the general category included 14 news media outlets during the first three months of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Codes for the thematic category included Description of COVID-19 in Nigeria, Assurances on COVID-19 containment in Nigeria, Support for COVID-19 management, COVID-19 education, Treatment of COVID-19, and the effects of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Results: In all, 289 news articles met the inclusion criteria and were thus analyzed. The reporting was as follows Description of COVID-19 (18.3%), Assurances of readiness and containment (13.5%), COVID-19 education (25.3%), Support for management of Coronavirus in Nigeria (14.9%), Treatment of COVID-19 in Nigeria (13.8%), and Effects of COVID-19 (14.2%). Overall, 64 (22.1%) of COVID-19 information across the media was fake news;35 (12.2%) pertained to the “Description of COVID-19” theme, while 29 (9.9%) pertained to the “Treatment of COVID-19” theme. Discussion: To facilitate accurate reporting of detailed information by the news media, a collaboration between health agencies and news media outlets should be enhanced to curtail false information ravaging the society. Take-home message The role of the media in reporting disease outbreaks cannot be disregarded, although a times they could be misleading, inaccurate, or speculative. To address inaccurate media reporting of health events, open data sharing between scientists, governments, and policymakers, as well as the communication of these to the media should be commenced early in any pandemic situation. © 2022 by the authors.