AUDIENCE PERCEPTION ON CNN’S COVERAGE OF COVID-19 GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY

ABSTRACT

The research work examine: Audience perception on CNN’s coverage of COVID-19 global health emergency. The study adopted the survey research design. A sample size of 300 was used. The objectives of the study are as follows: determine the perception of UNIBEN students towards CNN  coverage of the pandemic; ascertain the factors influencing UNIBEN students attitudinal response to CNN coverage of the pandemic; determine the implication of student’s perception on CNN coverage towards COVID-19 pandemic; find out if exposure to media coverage of the pandemic influences the behavior of UNIBEN students. The following findings were made: UNIBEN students perceive CNN’s coverage of the pandemic as grossly exaggerated. This exaggeration has made them accept CNN’s report on the pandemic with a grain of salt. It was also revealed that based on past happenings, CNN has been known for falsifying facts. These among others are some of the perception that UNIBEN students has towards CNN’s coverage of the global pandemic; Some of the factors influencing UNIBEN students attitudinal response to CNN coverage of the pandemic include: the authenticity of CNN’s report of global pandemic like Ebola; the knowledge that one has about the pandemic, religion and cultural factors amongst others; Student’s perception on CNN coverage towards COVID-19 pandemic has severe implication. It was discovered that because the CNN has a past record of falsifying facts, the respondents do not totally believe CNN’s coverage of the pandemic; Exposure to media coverage of the pandemic influences the behavior of UNIBEN students to a large extent. The study recommends the following: Media should give adequate and fair coverage to issues of global relevance like the COVID-19 pandemic; CNN and other local media should endeavor to report only the truth and nothing but the truth; Media is a power tool of influence. The media should therefore be used as an outlet to provide vital information to the populace on the COVID-19 pandemic; The populace should try as much as possible to adhere to all safety protocol. This is needed to keep them safe and help fight against the  global pandemic.