Jingjing Zhang|Xiaoting Liu
Media representation of older people’s vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic in China
Southeast University|University of Auckland
older adults gained great media attention covid19 pandemic believed vulnerable novel virus based clinical data epidemiological evidence high volume media coverage played important role calling improved public health services older population nevertheless problematic media representations older people might evoke amplify ageism pandemic therefore drawing empirical data collected five mainstream chinese media outlets january 3 may 3 2020 study examined media constructed vulnerability older adults underlying ageist thinking pandemic findings showed media clear preferences constructing older people passive recipients seeking resources families public institutions governments various levels cope covid19 pandemic notably media adopted biomedicalcentred framework presenting older people homogenous group vulnerable pandemic addition found media representations older adults intensified dichotomised relationship young old causing younger generations perceive older people threat public health moving beyond chinese case article appeals media socially responsible avoiding stereotyping older population uniting whole society combat covid19 findings study help raise awareness among policymakers care service providers crucial eliminating ageist attitudes across society allowing values older individuals fully recognised