Global media framing, COVID-19 and the issue of vaccination: An empirical inquisition

Abstract

Background: This study examined global media framing on issues of vaccination for COVID-19. The framing and media dependency theories were used to understand the potential influence of global media outlets as suppliers of health messages during pandemics. Methods: Content analysis was used to generate qualitative and quantitative data to answer the research questions. The qualitative data provided rich descriptive data about the themes and types of news frames on issues of vaccination for COVID-19, while the quantitative data provided statistical details about the frequency, viewership level and types of news frames on issues of vaccination for COVID-19. Results: The findings of this study showed that conflict and responsibility frames were the predominant frames used to report issues of vaccination for COVID-19. Also, the findings of this study indicated that vaccine safety was the overriding media theme on vaccination issue for COVID-19. Conclusion: The global media serve as suppliers of health communication in developed and developing countries. This study recommended that the global media can spearhead an information campaign to correct misconceptions, misrepresentations and misinformation on issues of vaccination for COVID-19.