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Double Bind in Russian Media during the COVID-19 Epidemic

https://doi.org/10.25205/2658-4506-2020-13-2-44-65

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unexpected event for mankind, as a result of which people experienced a prolonged situation of uncertainty, self-isolation and faced a number of unique restrictive measures. Researchers note a deterioration of the psychological health of population during the pandemic. In this case, a special role is played by media, which activity leads to infodemic and aggravation of negative psychological effects among the population.

This study focuses on the activity of Russian media during the COVID-19 epidemic through the lens of G. Bateson’s concept. The dynamics of the publication activity of Russian media in the first and second wave of the spread of coronavirus in relation to the dynamics of the epidemic is analyzed. In addition to this, news content and discourse were studied.

The first wave of the epidemic was significantly higher in media coverage than the second, although in terms of scale, the second wave of COVID-19 was more devastating. It was revealed that both state and independent media decrease their activity as the epidemic in Moscow declines. Thus, in the summer of 2020 in regions with an increasing number of newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19, the audience receives a double bind: “the epidemic does not deserve the former attention, although the risk of infection increases”.

State media broadcast a calming discourse, though restrictive measures are unprecedented, especially in the first wave of the epidemic. Here we face another double bind: “you shouldn’t be afraid of COVID-19, but you can’t leave home unnecessarily and you have to change your lifestyle and adapt to the situation”. Double binds from media are considered regarding masks, gloves, necessary quarantine measures, teleworking, online study, statistics, actions in case of infection, vaccination, etc.

Prolonged exposure in the set of media double binds regarding COVID-19 leads to various manifestations of schizophrenic symptoms. In the first wave of the epidemic hebephrenic manifestations are noticeable: messages are ridiculed without taking into account the context; a specific language is created. Another way is a spread of conspiracy theories. The last option is an escape from the topic, which is noticeable when comparing the publication activity, interest and emotional reaction of the media sphere during the first and second wave. The obtained results mean the necessity of reflection on the work of media in potential similar periods in the future. This leads to a dilemma between liberty and security.

About the Author

N. S. Pervushin
Novosibirsk State University
Russian Federation

lecturer of the Section of Personality Psychology of the 
V. Zelman Institute for the Medicine and Psychology of Novosibirsk State University, junior researcher of the Center for Behavior Analysis  at  Novosibirsk State University (Novosibirsk, Russian Federation) 
 
AuthorID RSCI 806942 



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For citations:


Pervushin N.S. Double Bind in Russian Media during the COVID-19 Epidemic. Reflexio. 2020;13(2):44-65. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25205/2658-4506-2020-13-2-44-65

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ISSN 2658-4506 (Print)
ISSN 2658-6894 (Online)