Media coverage of covid-19 in Ghana a study of selected radio stations in the Cape Coast Municipality

Abstract

This study assessed media coverage of COVID-19 in Ghana by focusing on two selected radio stations (Kingdom FM and Radio Central) in the Central Region. The study sought to identify the sources of information on COVID-19 shared by the selected radio stations, the frames used by the selected radio stations in the coverage of COVID-19 and the challenges encountered by journalists of Central Radio and Kingdom FM during the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the agenda setting and framing theories through a multiple case study, data was gathered from purposively sampled journalists and editors through structured interviews. Data obtained are subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed that journalists relied on multiple sources of information, namely, medical experts, government officials, social media, external media organisations and community members. It also emerged that journalists at the selected radio stations used the refutation of misconception frame, global pandemic frame, and the war frame in covering the COVID-19 pandemic. This study further revealed that journalists found it challenging to appropriately report issues surrounding the pandemic in a way that invoked public action without causing fear and panic. They also did not have the training and resources for effective reportage, especially during the first wave of the pandemic. The study concludes that during the coverage of COVID-19, journalists used words and terminologies that resonated with their audiences. In doing so, they allowed themselves considerably more leverage in what they asked of the public, such as compliance with harsher measures.