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https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v8i2.3223
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Africa and the Covid-19 Information Framing Crisis
[journal article]
Abstract Africa faces a double Covid-19 crisis. At once it is a crisis of the pandemic, at another an information framing crisis. This article argues that public health messaging about the pandemic is complicated by a competing mix of framings by a number of actors including the state, the Church, civil soci... view more
Africa faces a double Covid-19 crisis. At once it is a crisis of the pandemic, at another an information framing crisis. This article argues that public health messaging about the pandemic is complicated by a competing mix of framings by a number of actors including the state, the Church, civil society and the public, all fighting for legitimacy. The article explores some of these divergences in the interpretation of the disease and how they have given rise to multiple narratives about the pandemic, particularly online. It concludes that while different perspectives and or interpretations of a crisis is not necessarily wrong, where these detract from the crisis itself and become a contestation of individual and or sector interests, they birth a new crisis. This is the new crisis facing the continent in relation to the pandemic.... view less
Keywords
Africa; journalism; health care delivery system; information policy; news
Classification
Media Politics, Information Politics, Media Law
Free Keywords
Coronavirus; Covid-19; crisis; health journalism; misinformation; news framing
Document language
English
Publication Year
2020
Page/Pages
p. 440-443
Journal
Media and Communication, 8 (2020) 2
Issue topic
Health and Science Controversies in the Digital World: News, Mis/Disinformation and Public Engagement
ISSN
2183-2439
Status
Published Version; reviewed