Paradoxes of the Media Sphere during COVID-19 Epidemic
https://doi.org/10.25205/2658-4506-2021-14-1-17-37
Abstract
Life has offered humanity a unique experiment of experience a real threat and an unprecedented reaction to in the form of self-isolation. Media communication has a crucial role in this situation. The research focuses on the analysis of the media sphere dynamics during COVID-19 pandemic on the example of popular local news website. Data on publication activity, views and comments were collected from January 22 to July 19.
An unexpected and paradoxical scene is observed. As the epidemiologic situation worsens, journalists write less about COVID-19 and users demonstrate less interest and emotions in this topic too. It was revealed that user reactions are mostly caused by messages about lockdown, bans and restrictive measures rather than on the epidemiologic reports and details. The article discusses two periods which are characterized by different behavior if users and journalists. At first, the unique uncertainty situation generates great interest and emotional response to information about coronavirus. So, users and authors are guided by news about pandemic from Europe and China. Later understanding of possible risks displaces interest in the topic and reduce the degree of emotions. Moscow context becomes a guide in perception of pandemic as a stressful situation. In none of these periods the local epidemiological situation didn`t play a crucial role in determining of the reaction of the media sphere.
Qualitative analysis of comments revealed high user aggression, especially during the first months of coronavirus pandemic. Also, three groups of commentators were identified which differ in their attitudes towards the problem of coronavirus.
Keywords
coronavirus,
media,
liberty,
safety,
uncertainty,
self-isolation,
uncertainty tolerance,
extreme situation,
risk society,
risk
About the Author
Nikolay S. Pervushin
Novosibirsk State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Master of Sociology, Lecturer
RSCI AuthorID 806942
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Review
For citations:
Pervushin N.S. Paradoxes of the Media Sphere during COVID-19 Epidemic. Reflexio. 2021;14(1):17-37. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25205/2658-4506-2021-14-1-17-37
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