This study set out to investigate language use in health communication. It specifically examines the extent to which the language used by Newspapers can affect the population and influence public opinion and knowledge of the coronavirus. The Guardian Post and Cameroon Tribune newspaper headlines are purposely sampled for this study. The theoretical perspectives of this study are hinged on the framing theory of communication, the health belief model'> This study set out to investigate language use in health communication. It specifically examines the extent to which the language used by Newspapers can affect the population and influence public opinion and knowledge of the coronavirus. The Guardian Post and Cameroon Tribune newspaper headlines are purposely sampled for this study. The theoretical perspectives of this study are hinged on the framing theory of communication, the health belief model'> Critical Discourse Analysis Of Linguistic Features In Newspaper Framing Of The Corona Virus Pandemic In Cameroon

 

Critical Discourse Analysis of Linguistic Features in Newspaper Framing of the Corona Virus Pandemic in Cameroon


Keyword : Coronavirus pandemic, Language, Communication, health communication, reporting and Newspaper.


Author(s) : Muluh Henry & Alota Confidence

Abstract :   

This study set out to investigate language use in health communication. It specifically examines the extent to which the language used by Newspapers can affect the population and influence public opinion and knowledge of the coronavirus. The Guardian Post and Cameroon Tribune newspaper headlines are purposely sampled for this study. The theoretical perspectives of this study are hinged on the framing theory of communication, the health belief model (HBM), and the newspaper analysis model. The corpus used for the work consists of linguistic features of front-page newspaper headlines on the coronavirus pandemic. The qualitative research approach was adopted to enable the reader to understand certain concepts, thoughts, and experiences.  Critical discourse analysis which studies textual and language use as social and cultural practices is employed as methodology. The study reveals that newspaper headlines attract readership of the news stories and can influence the opinions and attitudes of the audience. The study therefore recommends that reporters and editors should be very cautious and objective when deciding on what to report during health pandemics; the media should also select their language to gear towards health crisis prevention, fear distillation, and scaremongering. Audience perceptions of television and radio programs' coverage of sensitive issues around the pandemic and their general coverage will greatly complement the findings of this study.

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