How COVID–19 Was Reported

Looking into Overseas Media Coverage [Part I]

Abstract

The global COVID–19 death toll exceeded 1.8 million in 2020. With no vaccine or known treatments at the onset of the outbreak, infection prevention based on scientific data and knowledge was key to controlling the spread of the virus. But governments struggled to implement effective measures, even in developed countries, rich both in means of communication and healthcare. How did media around the world cover the outbreak? What measures did they take to ensure they could continue reporting? What challenges did they meet? In the February and March issues, this two–part series will look at how overseas media responded to the outbreak and what impact this crisis had on them.