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Abstract

This study examines the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic by the four leading newspapers of Pakistan—Dawn, The News, Daily Times and The Nation—when they were responsible for informing and educating the public during a health crisis hit by conspiracy theories. The researchers utilized content analysis to analyze 1,124 news stories. The findings reveal less emphasis was placed on scientifically investigating the causes, precautions and care of coronavirus and dispelling public misconceptions.

Keywords

COVID-19 conspiracy theories priming Pakistani media The News Dawn Daily Times The Nation

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“We don’t believe in [the] Coronavirus;we believe in Allah. Whatever happens,it happens from Allah”: Pakistani media’s response to countering conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic

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