A Content Review of News about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) at Media Prior to Emergence in Pakistan by the Year 2020

Abstract

The study has been carried as a review of news about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) published in main stream newspaper (Daily Jang) prior to emergence in Pakistan. The front page of newspaper Daily Jang-Pakistan was selected for evaluation of study. The duration of study was from 31st December 2019 to 27th February 2020.The data has been qualitatively analyzed about text analysis, interpretative analysis, discourse analysis, rhetorical analysis, narrative analysis, and semiotic analysis whereas quantitatively analyzed for increasing number of patients, death and global bifurcation of affected cases. The first case of COVID-19 apparently reported on 31st December 2019 in China and got place at front page of newspaper on 24th January 2020 with 571 affected persons and 17 deaths.By 28th January 2020 USA, Canada, Australia, France, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Nepal were affected from new viral disease and till 5th of February 2020 more than two dozen countries confirmed about existence of new disease. China has taken immediate health interventions. Subsequently strategies were made in the world including Pakistan. WHO made global strategies to control new viral disease. Although most countries shifted their citizen from China however Pakistan did not removed their citizen from affected country. In the light of Hadith, Muslim Scholars advised that citizens of Pakistan should not be shifted outside China till control of disease. The scientist started to investigate new disease. The herbal medicine also used in public. Campaign on media started about awareness of new disease. The business activity found to be reduced due to disease. Necessary preventive arrangements were made by the aviation department. Pakistan also banned on import of animal and birds. The burial ceremonies of deceased due to COVID-19 were also limited for participation. Many operations like Haj, Umrah and Olympic 2020 expected to be affected due to new viral disease. However a common marriage found to be reported in South Korea. Dr.Ventiang died on 8th February 2020 who initially suspected and diagnosed for existence and origin of new disease. On 26th   February 2020 a news  on front page indicating to inner page that “many countries affected by corona virus disease and afterward on 27th February 2020 there was a main headline news on the front page that “Corona reached Pakistan.”