While all the research collected came from different studies and different authors, each source had common themes. I looked at an academic journal about the need for effective crisis communication practices, one about the mediator role of communication about COVID-19, and one about validation of fear perception and magnitude of the issues.

 

Throughout all of these academic journals, I saw that false and dishonest information spread online can be harmful. A lot of this information can appear on social media, which is also known as the "infodemic." This false and dishonest information can worsen people's mental health, and scare people because they're hearing conflicting information about the virus. I also saw that the exaggeration of the issue of COVID-19 in media was often connected with greater fear. This exaggeration could be false information, absolutes about the virus, or constant coverage of the virus.

 

One of the greatest pieces of information I found between all three articles is that the most effective form of COVID-19 media was that which came from health professionals and experts. This information put people more at ease, because it was reliable. Thinking about the audience was also a good technique for presenting COVID-19 media. Although the virus isn't covered as obsessively as it used to be, it will still be around for a good amount of time, and I hope that different platforms of media will consider using better techniques when covering COVID-19.