Newspaper coverage of SARS: a comparison among Canada, Hong Kong, Mainland China and Western Europe

Abstract

A quantitative analysis of newspaper coverage of SARS was conducted, where the occurrence of the word SARS in newspaper articles, rather than newspaper content was examined. Data were collected from six newspapers representing Canada, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Western Europe. These data were then compared with the World Health Organization�s data on SARS cases and SARS deaths. A brief history of SARS is also provided to place the results of the study in the context of the SARS events. The analysis finds not only a similarity between the two western media examined, but also a contrast between the western media and the Chinese media in SARS coverage. The study demonstrates the usefulness of informetric methods in analyzing popular media.