ROLE OF MEDIA IN HANDLING A GLOBAL CRISIS DURING THE PANDEMIC COVID-19: PERCEPTION AND HUMAN BEHAVIOUR

*Prof. Sanjeev Sood Dr. Ritu S. Sood and Rishabh Sood

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome- Coronavirus 2 has put beyond doubt intensive pressure on healthcare, economic, and social structures. The problem is how to pass the knowledge of current disease statistics and its prevention to the general population at a rate corresponding to or better than the spreading epidemic. At the same time, a massive amount of health-threatening misinformation is spreading at a faster rate than the disease itself. The large percentage of this false rumour is circulated through media. Thus, providing fast, truthful and reliable information addressing critical problems of infection control is, therefore, of key importance. This study observes both the positive and negative impact of media during coronavirus Pandemic. Method: The study is based on an extensive survey among 250 adult participants of various sections of Indian society with different age groups between 18 - 45 years to introspect the level of public awareness by media with respect to cause, spread, prevention and treatment of disease caused by spread of COVID-19 viral outbreak, which is reflected in the societal behavioural response of rigorous precautionary measures. Results: This study found a positive association between mass media, the psychological domain of the Indian population during COVID-19. Further authentication and reliability of the Source of the message, true authenticity & reliability of the information should be checked appropriately before disseminating it through mass media.

Keywords: Media, Communication, Covid 19, Coronavirus, Pandemic, Fake News, Human Behaviour.