Discursive Construction of Health Narratives: Post COVID-19 Discourse in Selected East African Newspapers
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the discourse on health, disease and treatment. This study investigates how post–pandemic narratives are constructed, focusing on the language used to discuss physical, mental and relational health. Data was a corpus of 300,000 tokens published between March 2023 and March 2024 in two mainstream East African newspapers namely The Daily Nation and The Citizen. Schema theory is employed as a framework. Data analysis using AntConc software uncovers prevalent themes and linguistic patterns that shape public understanding and response to health issues. The findings indicate that post-COVID-19 discourse is marked by dual focus on the lingering impacts of the pandemic and the resilience of communities. Physical health narratives continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination and preventive measures, while addressing the effects of the Coronavirus. Discussions on mental health have become more prominent highlighting the psychological challenges faced by individuals and the need for accessible mental health services. Relational health themes explore the evolving dynamics of social interactions, with a particular focus on the strain and adaptation with families and communities. The study reveals that the media play a crucial role in framing health narratives, and attempt to balance between alarming reports and stories of hope and recovery. However, the media’s tendency towards sensationalism is evident. This sensationalism can exacerbate public anxiety but it also underscores the need for critical media literacy among readers. The findings also highlight the role of media in disseminating crucial health information and fostering public awareness, while also promoting a sense of collective resilience. The research outcomes contribute to a deeper understanding of how media discourse can influence health perceptions and behavior in the post-pandemic era.
Key words: Discursive, media, corpus, discourse,