How partisan newspapers represented a pandemic: the case of the Middle East respiratory syndrome in South Korea

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the coverage by two partisan South Korean newspapers of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) pandemic, examining differences in their use of news frames and cited sources. A content analysis revealed that Hankyoreh, the left-wing newspaper, placed more emphasis on attributing responsibility to the government and society. In contrast, Chosun Ilbo, the right-wing newspaper, placed more emphasis on attributing responsibility to the individual. Severity/uncertainty, economic consequences, and statistical data frame were utilized more in Hankyoreh than the expected frequency. On the other hand, human interest and reassurance frame were utilized more in Chosun Ilbo than the expected frequency. Regarding the sources used in news stories, Hankyoreh used significantly more sources from local governments than did Chosun Ilbo. On the other hand, Chosun Ilbo used significantly more sources from medical agencies and experts than did Hankyoreh. This study advances previous research on the framing of a pandemic in the media by exploring how the partisan leanings of newspapers influence the framing.

KEYWORDS:

• MERS
• South Korea
• framing
• partisan newspaper
• news source

Notes on contributors

Sangwon Lee is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Arts at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received an M.A. in Communication from Michigan State University. His academic interest lies in social media and political communication, more specifically, the effects of social media on civic engagement and knowledge gain.

Jihyun Esther Paik is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Arts at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received an M.A. in Communication from Michigan State University and an M.S. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Her academic interest lies in interpersonal and organizational communication, more specifically, advice seeking and giving, distorted feedback giving, and deception.