Media representation of African individuals in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on mental health
1
School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
2
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
3
School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
4
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto Scarboroug, Toronto, Canada
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2730
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
This paper explores how media representation during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health and sense of belonging of Australians of African descent. Focusing on news reporting of COVID-19 restriction breaches, it examines whether racially charged narratives intensified emotional distress and social alienation within African Australian communities.
METHODS:
A media content analysis compared portrayals of Australians of African origin with those of the broader Anglo–Australian population in coverage of COVID-19 restriction breaches. Researchers systematically classified and distilled large volumes of textual media content. The research team included members from diverse ethnic-racial backgrounds, with particular attention to African Australians within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. An inductive analytic approach was applied using NVivo (version 12).
RESULTS:
Media reporting consistently positioned people from African communities as outsiders, frequently foregrounding racial identity in ways not similarly applied to the Anglo–Australian population. This pattern reflected racial profiling and reinforced othering narratives in coverage of major public issues such as COVID-19, with likely consequences for heightened stress, stigma, and reduced feelings of inclusion.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings indicate that racialised media portrayals during the pandemic can contribute to emotional distress and deepen alienation among Australians of African descent. More responsible, inclusive reporting is needed to reduce harm and support the mental well-being of CALD populations. Given the limited research in this area, further work should examine the mental health impacts of media narratives on African migrant communities during public health crises.
This paper explores how media representation during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health and sense of belonging of Australians of African descent. Focusing on news reporting of COVID-19 restriction breaches, it examines whether racially charged narratives intensified emotional distress and social alienation within African Australian communities.
METHODS:
A media content analysis compared portrayals of Australians of African origin with those of the broader Anglo–Australian population in coverage of COVID-19 restriction breaches. Researchers systematically classified and distilled large volumes of textual media content. The research team included members from diverse ethnic-racial backgrounds, with particular attention to African Australians within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. An inductive analytic approach was applied using NVivo (version 12).
RESULTS:
Media reporting consistently positioned people from African communities as outsiders, frequently foregrounding racial identity in ways not similarly applied to the Anglo–Australian population. This pattern reflected racial profiling and reinforced othering narratives in coverage of major public issues such as COVID-19, with likely consequences for heightened stress, stigma, and reduced feelings of inclusion.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings indicate that racialised media portrayals during the pandemic can contribute to emotional distress and deepen alienation among Australians of African descent. More responsible, inclusive reporting is needed to reduce harm and support the mental well-being of CALD populations. Given the limited research in this area, further work should examine the mental health impacts of media narratives on African migrant communities during public health crises.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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