A Critical Analysis of COVID-19 Mass Media Discourse and its Impact on University Students

Abstract

This article reports a critical analysis of media, specifically social media discourse and its impact on learner behavior with increased focus on its content and conflicting views regarding Covid-19.  This study employed a survey with open-ended questions to get the responses of BS students at Islamia College Peshawar. The themes emerged from the study of relevant literature informed the research instrument. The data were subjected to a thematic analysis for identifying similarities and dissimilarities between the primary and secondary data. The findings indicated that the conflicting views stemming from media, specifically social media, affected students. The respondents reported both negative and positive impact on their mental health and behavior. They showed conflicting views regarding the emergence, growth, remedy and decay of the virus—a clear sign that they were under the overwhelming effects social media discourse. Therefore, it is recommended that media discourse need to be very calculated, authentic and follow problem solving approach during a crisis. Political leadership should articulate their voices responsibly and excessive engagement with media at the time of crisis needs to be avoided.

         Keywords: critical analysis, Covid-19, media discourse, learner behavior, infodemic