ABSTRACT:
Background. Effective public health communication is essential during health emergencies to promote protective behaviours, sustain public trust, and counter infodemics. Newspapers continue to play a central role in shaping public understanding of crises. However, it remains unclear to what extent mainstream newspapers adhere to evidence-based recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to guide responsible reporting during epidemics and pandemics. This study examines how Italian national newspapers covered the COVID-19 pandemic and whether their narratives aligned with international recommendations. Methods. We conducted a quali-quantitative, corpus-assisted discourse analysis on 5,621 articles published in seven major Italian newspapers between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2021 and included in the national press review of the Italian National Institute of Health. Lexical and discursive patterns were examined using SketchEngine, identifying keywords, recurrent themes, and evaluative language. Quantitative findings were integrated with qualitative close reading to assess how journalistic practices corresponded to core principles outlined in reporting recommendations issued by WHO/PAHO, including accuracy, proportionality, contextualization of risk, and avoidance of sensationalism. Results. Overall, Italian newspapers reflected several recommended practices, such as emphasizing preventive measures, institutional guidance, and collective responsibility. However, important deviations were observed, including episodic use of alarmist or emotive language, limited contextualization of epidemiological data, and occasional reliance on conflict-driven framing. Some articles also displayed elements of false balance and personalization of blame, which risked distorting risk perception and undermining public trust. Conclusion. Italian newspapers only partially aligned with international recommendations for responsible pandemic reporting. While institutional messages were generally amplified, recurring narrative patterns may have unintentionally contributed to confusion or anxiety. Strengthening collaboration between journalists, public health professionals, and communication experts could enhance adherence to evidence-based reporting standards and improve preparedness for future public health emergencies.