Identifying primary frames of official public health reporting in mainland China: a before-and-after policy change analysis using the ANTMN approach

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a profound influence on the global landscape, jeopardizing public health and transforming the daily lives of countless individuals. Navigating the complexities of public health communication during this crisis has emerged as a paramount challenge for both governmental institutions and media entities. In response to this quandary, we executed an extensive analysis of 929 official Chinese reports pertaining to COVID-19 on social media platforms, spanning from 7 November 2022, to 7 January 2023. Utilizing the sophisticated methodology of Analysis of Topic Model Networks (ANTMN), we discerned three overarching frameworks (Social Health Resources, Official Public Health Actions, and Dissemination of Health Knowledge) and nine salient themes (Medical Infrastructure, Collective Public Health Initiatives, Epidemiological Trajectories, Governmental Health Interventions, Temporary Recesses, Public Health Regulations, Community-Based Public Health, Medical Supply Distribution, and Health Information Dissemination). Moreover, by juxtaposing media coverage before and after the Chinese government’s adjustment in epidemic policy, we unveiled substantial disparities in the framing and thematic foci among various tiers and genres of media outlets. Our findings illuminate the intricate nature of public health reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic and underscore the necessity for a judicious appraisal of diverse factors.