QUALITATIVE DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF DENGUE AWARENESS COMMUNICATION IN ISLAMABAD: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DAWN AND THE NATION (SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2025)

Abstract

This study undertakes a qualitative discourse analysis of dengue disease coverage in two major Pakistani newspapers, Dawn and The Nation, during the peak dengue season (September– November 2025) in Islamabad. Using critical discourse analysis (CDA) technique, this study investigates how media narratives build dengue as a public health issue, define governmental accountability, and place citizens in public health discourse. The analysis of 45 news stories indicates distinct ideological viewpoints. Dawn takes a critical investigative posture, emphasizing systemic failings, whereas The Nation takes a state-aligned, technocratic approach. Both publications prioritize official voices above community opinions, emphasizing individual behavioral change with institutional improvement.

The findings indicate that the impact of dengue awareness efforts may be limited since existing

public health communication tactics predominantly view citizens as subjects of surveillance rather than as holders of rights.