Vem bär ansvaret för smittspridningen av covid-19? : En studie gällande debatten om vilken aktör som tillskrivs ansvaret för smittspridningen av covid-19, i svensk dagspress från mars 2020 - mars 2021

Sammanfattning: The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing and global. A difficult situation affecting health and economy in all parts of the world. The need for and demand of accurate, trustworthy and efficient communication has never been more important. Understanding the importance and impact that media has when it comes to conveying their messages to various target groups is critical. The ability of individuals taking responsibility for implementing political ambitions depends entirely on communication. The time period chosen was March 2020 to March 2021. The purpose of this study is to examine the debate on whether there has been a shift of responsibility from individuals to the government, when it comes to managing the spread of COVID-19. It specifically focusses on the media’s role and responsibility in conveying fact-based messages for a desired shift towards more individual responsibility in reducing the spread of the pandemic. Debate articles and editorials were the main research base in determining if a shift has taken place or not. The study combines quantitative and qualitative techniques by examining COVID-19 issues in five Swedish newspapers. The research was condensed to in depth studies of 54 articles. Focusing on three keywords, namely: covid, corona and spread, both quantitative and qualitative conclusions could be made. In conclusion, it is not possible to draw any general assumption to whether there has occurred a shift of responsibility or not.