SPR30831 WLF SPA WhitePaper v12 - Flipbook - Page 26
The role of the media
The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way Australians work and live, and the media
is assisting to inform the public about COVID-19, the government’s response and the actions
expected of all Australians to help contain the virus.
The media has an essential place in civil society - informing the community about matters of
public interest, and, often, holding decision-makers to account. During a crisis this informational
role is particularly important, as accurate, timely updates allay public concern and influence
responsible health behaviours; while ambiguity or the lack of accurate information can
exacerbate distress levels 120.
Research following the H1N1 virus, for example, found that the invisible threat of the virus,
combined with predictions by virologists of worst case scenarios, heightened anxiety in
Canada 121. A separate analysis of media coverage of the H1N1 virus in the Netherlands found the
type and sentiment of media coverage linked with the type of information provided by media
sources 122. The Dutch Centre for Infectious Disease Control shared alarming information and
predictions, leading to media coverage that was alarmist and created unnecessary levels of
anxiety in the community about the threat the virus presented 123.
As with previous pandemics, the COVID-19 virus has presented a new and invisible threat to
public health, albeit a threat that has proven to be much greater in light of the faster spread and
higher mortality rate of the virus. The evidence shows that the media requires access to neutral,
fact-based information from reliable sources to convey coverage that informs, rather than raises
distress in the community.
Official sources of information
The Australian Government regularly shares reliable, accurate and timely information about
COVID-19 via several platforms:
• the Department of Health website (health.gov.au) provides comprehensive daily updates on
key facts and figures, public health advice and information about support services
• the Coronavirus Australia app is available on both android and Apple devices. The app
provides users with up-to-date, factual information and health advice, the latest caseload
data, key contacts, a symptom checker and ‘push’ notifies users of urgent information.
The information shared via these platforms is neutral and fact-based. The media, as with the rest
of the Australian public, has access to these channels.
Reducing distress in the community following the COVID-19 pandemic
June 2020
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