Variants, Vaccines, Vigilance

Rhetorical Construction of United Nations Post-COVID-19 Digital News

Abstract

The world’s collective fight against COVID-19 has been critical to ensuring good health and well- being. Central to meeting this goal is successful vaccination programs, which have been scientifically proven to control the spread of the virus and prevent millions of deaths worldwide. However, cases of emergent variants along with waning vaccine effectiveness prompt continued public vigilance, thus necessitating consistent effective and persuasive science and health communication. Employing Aristotle’s rhetoric, this qualitative study examines nine (9) post- COVID-19 news stories published digitally by the United Nations (UN). Through rhetorical analysis, it outlines how persuasive strategies ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional appeal), and logos (logic) are reflected in textual, visual, and digital constructions of news stories. Results indicate ethos is reflected through textual and visual referencing of science and figures of authority on COVID-19 research and prevention; pathos is evidenced by humanized language and imagery; and logos is manifested in evidence-based and action-stimulating discourse and photography. Digital and multimedia elements intended to emphasize authority, increase trust, and foster engagement likewise enhance persuasion. These efforts for scientific, inclusive digital storytelling prove consistent with the UN's 2030 agenda of securing sustainable development with persuasive communication and transformative action in Southeast Asia and beyond.