The Evolution Of Mainstream Media Coverage Of Public Health Emergencies

This paper uses the People's Daily's coverage of the SARS epidemic in 2003 and the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020 as the research object.This paper searches and collects media coverage samples from the People's Daily Graphic Database,classifies and organizes them after the construction of categories,and finally analyzes and summarizes the samples by using content analysis and comparative research methods.Through a comparative analysis of mainstream media coverage of different public health emergencies in different eras,this paper attempts to summarize the changes in the reporting philosophy and reporting methods of China's mainstream media in the reporting of public health emergencies and their changing characteristics under the changing times,and to make further additions to the existing research literature.At the same time,the two major epidemic reports by the mainstream media in China since the 20th century are reviewed and lessons are drawn from them.It is hoped that this will provide some practical reference for the media at all levels in China's future epidemic reports,and promote the mainstream media to play a better role in the process of conveying information,responding to concerns,guiding public opinion,stabilizing people's confidence and serving the overall situation during public health emergencies.The study finds that,in terms of coverage format,firstly,the People's Daily lagged behind in its coverage during the SARS period,but with intensive and compact coverage in the middle and late stages of the epidemic,while the reports during the COVID-19 period was more timely,with a more moderate change in daily coverage.Secondly,during the SARS period,the coverage of the pages was haphazardly distributed,while during the COVID-19 period,the pages were clearly layered,and the main news pages took up more than half of the total coverage.Thirdly,the SARS period was dominated by short and concise news reports,while the COVID-19 period focused on the use of news commentaries and newsletters,with detailed and in-depth coverage.Fourthly,during the SARS period,great importance was attached to photo news reports,which accounted for a high proportion of the total number of photo news reports,while during the COVID-19 period,more importance was attached to the reports with pictures,and emphasis was placed on the textual interpretation of policies and the development of the epidemic and the propagation of ideas.In terms of coverage content,firstly,economic coverage was more prominent in the People's Daily's coverage of the SARS period,while diplomatic coverage was particularly important in the COVID-19 period.Secondly,the SARS period was dominated by factual reports,which focused on conveying factual information,while the COVID-19 period was dominated by awareness reports,which focused on ideological propaganda.Thirdly,during the SARS period,more emphasis was placed on positive propaganda coverage,while during the COVID-19 period,it maintained a focus on the positive ones,but the overall coverage tended to be more objective and neutral.Fourth,during the SARS period,emphasis was placed on official information,with government agencies as the main source while during the COVID-19 period,information sources were more balanced.Fifthly,quotations in People's Daily's coverage of the SARS epidemic were low and mostly indirect,while quotations in COVID-19's coverage of the epidemic were higher and more direct quotations were used.Through analysis and comparison,this paper concludes that after the changes in domestic policies and the international environment in the past 20 years,the mainstream media have changed their reporting philosophy from "official first" to "matters first"and "people first" in responding to public health emergencies.In terms of reporting responses,there has been a shift from the so-called "suitable time" to "timeliness";and in terms of content,there has been a shift from a focus on factual reporting to a focus on the transmission of ideas and values,and a greater emphasis on scientific agenda setting at different stages of the epidemic's development.