Covering a health crisis as a military crisis? The Israeli media coverage of the first COVID-19 wave crisis

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the media coverage of the first wave of the COVID-19 crisis. The analysis of 213 items from leading TV channels and newspapers revealed four main themes characterising the: coverage of the establishment’s preparations, coverage of morbidity, criticism of the establishment, and information provision. By and large, the media acted as a ‘mobilized press’, encouraging the public to follow guidelines, but criticism of certain sectors of the public and individuals was almost absent. The article demonstrates that the phenomenon of ‘rallying around the flag’ is common in both security and health crises.