Covid-19 Related Infodemic On Graphic Online And Ghana Web Online: A Content Analysis In Ghana

Abstract

Covid-19 unexpectedly struck the world resulting in unimaginable hospitalizations and deaths. This left people of the world scavenging for information to stay safe. As has been the trend, the search for information in the age of multiple media outlets led to avalanche of information some of which were not accurate and hampered the fight against the spread of the virus. To an extent, the media was instrumental in providing information necessary in the fight against the virus. But the media also became veritable source of misinformation. This study therefore explored infodemics as related to COVID-19. The study applied the method of content analysis to study the COVID related stories, articles and publications carried on graphic online and ghanaweb.com - two media portals in Ghana. The analysis focused on stories, articles and publications on the causes of COVID-19, prevention, signs and symptoms, management, government response to the pandemic. These were benchmarked against WHO information based on available evidence to determine whether the information provided on these online portals were either factual or non-factual. The analysis showed that vast majority of the stories carried in the two media portals in respect of COVID were factual. About 98 percent of the stories analyzed from Graphic online were factual. For Ghanaweb.com, about 10 percent of stories were non-factual. The analysis also pointed to a situation where stories, articles and publications are carried in a manner that leave room for misinterpretation and possible misinformation. The study concludes that the flood of COVID-19 related stories and publications, some of which were not plausible could undermine government’s containment efforts. The study underscores the need for media sensitization and education to ensure proper screening of publications and stories before making them available online for public consumption.