Abstract

Media is a powerful tool to provide information to the general public and to promote a positive environment during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it may also spread misleading information. The main objective of this study is to examine the role of mass media in the fight against Covid-19 in the Buea Municipality.

Specifically, the study sought to examine the role does the mass media play in the fight against Covid-19, the impacts of mass media in the fight against covid-19, determined the problems faced by the mass media in the fight against Covid-19 and the various possible solutions to the problems faced by mass media in the fight against Covid-19.

To achieved the study objectives, a simple random sampling technique were employed to sample 100 participants using a structured=questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed descriptively, using simple percentages, mean and standard deviation.

The findings of the study revealed that the major role mass media play in the fight against Covid-19 is by educating the public about the virus, Inform and updates individuals on Covid-19 related issues, keep people living during the lockdown period and encourage people to take covid-19 vaccines. It was also revealed that the major impact of mass media in the fight against Covid-19 is by creating fear and panic in reporting on virus issues and sources of Misinformation about the virus. it was, however, a major player in providing educational means for individuals during the lockdown.

The mass media also creates problems such as failed to portray info in a useful tone and frame to reduce panic in the audience and a platform for the creation of conspiracy theories and publishing of contradictory information. Based on the above findings, it was recommended that the mass media should organize educational programs that would educate the public about the virus and should Stop the spread of inaccurate information.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This chapter seeks to introduce how mass media has helped in the fight against covid-19 in Buea. This chapter seeks to explain how the population of Buea has relayed on the mass media for information related to covid-19, preventive measures to be taken, where to be, how to go about daily activities, and so on.

The mass media has on its part gone a long way to provide this basic information to the inhabitants of Buea on a daily basis as a strategy to help curb and fight the virus from spreading and infecting people. This chapter will also highlight how mass media has played a role to fight the virus, some of the challenges it has faced in the fight against the virus, and how its challenges can be resolved. The areas of discussion in this chapter are based on the statement of the problem, formulation of research question, objectives, and significance of the study.

1.1. Background of The Study

Mass media refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets. Broadcast media transmit information electronically via media such as film, radio, recorded music, or television.

The print media is also another vital outlet of mass media where information is being passed written and kept for reading and it takes the form of newspapers, magazines, handwritten notes and so on.  Covid-19 is a virus causing acute respiratory syndrome. It is a disease caused as a result of infection named coronavirus disease. It has been categorized as an air borne high consequences infections disease.

According to the world health organisation, the virus was founded in the world on the 31 of December 2019 in Wuhan China. Then the virus spread so quickly throughout the world hitting Europe and America so badly and a few African counties with no vaccine at the time of the outbreak.

The virus was confirmed in Cameroon to have reached on 6 March 2020. the virus has been in Cameroon for almost 1 year, 1month. With a total of about 35,714 cases as of march with 551 deaths and 32569 recovered cases within the national territory. Journalist in Cameroon like their counterparts across the globe has been doing their best in reporting on the coronavirus outbreak.

Be it social, broadcast or print is diverse and vast. This involves roles like educating the people, informing the population and also disseminating measures on how to combat its spread, fight against fake news and misinformation especially on social media platforms.

The mass media has been used by Cameroonian journalists to give accountability and noon politicization of the virus and so on all in the fight against covid-19. according to some scholars like CHRDA`s president barrister Agbor Nkongho is of the stand that the fight against covid-19 should be communal with everyone being in the position to contribute using mass media platforms. This write-up gives a vivid background of the mass media, covid-19, and how the mass media is fighting it.

1.2. Statement of The Problem.

Based on everyday challenges I personally discover among the inhabitants of Buea in accessing and getting real facts about covid-19 and also looking at what the mass media is doing to bring data and information about covid-19 to everyone in the town of Buea, I decided to do a research on how the mass media is helping in the fight against covid-19 in the town of Buea.

The population of Buea is made up of students, the working class, workers, business people, and people of all works of life. Media works as a bridge between government and society. Media have been recognized as robust power to form how we experience this world. Whether a viewer or a reader, we just close our minds and open our eyes. In this crisis, media played a very significant role in making people aware of the situation, calm the junta and encourage them to do positive action. The different kinds of media like digital media and print media with their impact have been presented in this paper.

There are many challenges at the ground level in spreading information to the people across the nation, some have been discussed in the latter part of this research article. This study is based on exposing what the mass media has done to help fight covid-19 in Buea despite all the negative taught and fake knowledge people have obtained from the many mass media platforms.

This negative information has planted negative fears in the mind of the inhabitants of Buea but the mass media has also played a role in a fight this fight which is study is all about the role it has played.

This study has also pinpointed the fact that mass media has a role to play in the fight against the virus and how does the media do that. The research sought to investigate and understand the way mass media fight covid-19 in Buea, challenges faced while fighting against the virus, and possible solutions.

1.3 Research Questions

1.3.1 Main Research Question

What is the role of mass media in the fight against Covid-19 in the Buea Municipality?

1.3.2 Specific Research Question

1. What role does the mass media play in the fight against Covid-19?
2. What are the impacts of mass media in the fight against covid-19?
3. What are the challenges faced by the mass media in the fight against Covid-19?
4. What are the possible solutions to the problems faced by mass media in the fight against Covid-19?