ABSTRACT:
Background. During the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional media remained a key source of health information, shaping public perceptions of vaccination [1,2]; however, evidence remains limited on how mainstream newspapers framed COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine-hesitant positions. This study explores how Italian national newspapers portrayed COVID-19 vaccination during 2020–2021, with particular attention to terminology, narrative framing, and the presence of subtle forms of misinformation such as “false balance.” [3] Methods. We conducted a corpus-assisted discourse analysis of 5,621 newspaper articles published between January 2020 and December 2021 and included in the daily press review of the Italian National Institute of Health. Articles were drawn from seven major Italian newspapers and analyzed using SketchEngine software [4]. Quantitative analyses examined word frequencies, keywords, and collocations related to vaccination and the anti-vaccination movement. Qualitative close reading was used to identify narrative patterns and instances of false balance, defined as the journalistic practice of presenting scientifically unequal positions as if they were equivalent [3,5]. Results. Vaccine-related coverage increased markedly from late 2020 onward, coinciding with regulatory approvals and the rollout of mass vaccination campaigns. Core terms such as “vaccine” and “vaccination” dominated reporting, while less frequent synonyms such as “serum” and “antidote” carried ambiguous or emotive connotations that sometimes reflected mistrust. Although vaccines were generally portrayed as effective and protective, qualitative analysis revealed recurring instances of false balance, in which pro- and anti-vaccine views were juxtaposed as if equally supported by evidence. Conclusion. Mainstream Italian newspapers largely supported COVID-19 vaccination but occasionally reproduced reporting practices that risked undermining public understanding. Subtle lexical choices and false balance may have unintentionally reinforced hesitant narratives. These findings highlight the need for closer collaboration between public health professionals and communication experts to promote precise, evidence-weighted reporting and strengthen institutional capacity to manage infodemics beyond acute crisis periods.