A GCC-wide media analysis of coverage around COVID-19, together with key global headlines for context, which has been compiled using Golin’s Relevance Radar.

1. 15 - 21 Mar
COVID-19Coverage & Conversations
This report analysis outlines key highlights from the past week of media
coverage, influential social content and Golin conversations with
journalists regarding COVID-19 and its impact on the media landscape.
COVERAGE & CONVERSATION THEMES:
• Government precautionary
measures are being praised
• Social distancing continues to be a
hot topic but is now being paired
with topics like restaurant closures,
travel and retail stores implications.
• The World Travel and Tourism
Council has warned the COVID-19
pandemic will have a long-term
impact on the worldwide travel
and tourism industry
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Media shifts to residents from Corporations: While previous focus has been on the
stock market movement, it is now shedding light on human stories, including
positive news.
• Uncertainty will continue to cause stress: Even after the US President’s briefing on
the current circumstances potentially lasting until July or August 2020, media
coverage and social conversations are more focused on the ‘today’ rather than
too much into the future.
• Media are covering brand contributions: Brands are getting coverage when
directly showing how they are doing their part to support during this crisis in
unique ways.
• Dubai-based Careem — which is owned by Uber — is talking to authorities
in its countries of operation about how its divisions can help
• Celebrities use platform to educate on COVID-19: Social and traditional saw a
surge after actors Tom Hanks, Idris Elba and Kristofer Hivju (from Game of Thrones)
announced that they tested positive. The celebrities are using it as a platform to
educate others on the severity of this issue.

2. • Governments in the region have instituted a raft
of measures to contain the highly contagious
outbreak.
• Economic stimulus packages announced by
the Dubai and UAE Governments, as well as by
the banks
• In Oman, the Director General of Medical
Services of the Royal Oman Police said that an
integrated medical team will operate the
mobile police hospital to deal with coronavirus
cases in the country. The mobile hospital
includes an intensive care unit and a laboratory
for tests
• Kuwait’s central bank announced on Sunday it
was setting up a 10 million dinar ($32.79 million)
fund to support government efforts to combat
the disease. The country also declared public
holiday from March 12 till March 26 due to
prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• The UAE's measures are in line with neighboring countries, which have
moved to contain the spread of coronavirus by limiting human-to-human
contact.
• In Saudi Arabia, which has 392 cases to date, malls and commercial markets
excluding pharmacies and food supply stores have been closed.
Restaurants have been ordered to serve takeaway only, and barbershops
have also been closed. The Kingdom has also stopped all incoming flights
for two weeks.
• Bahrain made the dramatic announcement that this month’s Formula One
race will be run without spectators. The island kingdom has greatly curtailed
air travel and urged both citizens and residents who travelled to Iran
recently to present themselves for testing, failing which, they could face
legal measures
15 - 21 Mar
COVID-19Coverage & Conversations
Government Initiatives
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR:
• Additional lockdowns, and extensions of lockdown dates
• Personal stories flooding from other nations and domestically showcasing
the importance of self-isolation and social distancing
• Personal and family stories resulting from inability to travel
• Continued sharing of information about in-home schedules and tips to
work efficiently with a focus on parents
• High-profile influencers using their positive test results as a platform to
communicate the seriousness of the pandemic

3. 15 - 21 Mar
COVID-19Coverage & Conversations
COVID-19 news in the past 24 hours
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT COVID-19 ON SOCIAL MEDIA
• Influencers are vocal about “feel-good” stories across the region during
this time. Additionally, they are also bringing forth their own stories during
this time (i.e. struggling with depression during a pandemic).
• This audience is still hyper-focused on the government’s response to
COVID-19, as well as continued pleas for people to adhere to social
distancing and to stay home and not be around more than 10 people.
Coronavirus:
Quarantine violators
in UAE face up to
five years in jail
UAE stops distribution
of print publications in
the country except for
subscribers
UAE stops issuing visas
on arrival and bans
citizens from traveling
abroad over
coronavirus
Saudi Arabia
launches an app to
guide on self-
isolation or hospital
visit
Kuwait imposes
partial curfew,
extends holiday for
two weeks
Urgent Proposal to
enforce mandatory
curfew submitted

4. 15 - 21 Mar
COVID-19Coverage & Conversations
Consumer Tech Media: Primarily focused on traditional beat, with some news
coverage on coronavirus from a tech perspective
• T3 Middle East - is focused on event updates, tips and product reviews for
quarantine
• GNTech - is primarily focused on reviews and new tech launches
• TechRadar - is continuing traditional coverage, while adding coronavirus
updates and several articles on movies to stream while practicing social
distancing
Entertainment & Celebrity Media: Mostly coronavirus-focused
• Masala!- is primarily posting celebrity-related coronavirus content, alongside
guides on what to watch on TV, delayed movies and non-virus celeb gossip
• Grazia Middle East – focused on Coronavirus content around celebrity news with
news from brands
• City Times - is focused almost entirely on coronavirus content related to the
entertainment industry, with sporadic film and TV reviews
• Tabloid - is continuing traditional coverage
Tech Trade : Split across traditional beat and CoronaVirus
• TahawulTech- focuses on coronavirus updates related to technology available
with some news available on traditional beat
• ITP.net - is continuing traditional coverage, while adding coronavirus updates
Hospitality: Focusing on traditional beat with brand news related to COVID-19
• Hotel News Middle East focuses on traditional news related to restaurants,
chef and staycation offers with some news available on COVID-19
• Hotelier Middle East – focused on impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality
industry
Business Media: Primarily focused on COVID-19, and its impact on businesses
• Arabian Business - is focused on COVID-19, highlighting government
initiatives for preventive measures and impact on industry
• Gulf Business – is primarily sharing COVID-19 centric stories
• Forbes Middle East – business focused
Today’s Media Relations Advice Remain hyper-targeted. Use a soft approach
of checking in with trusted contacts and position yourself as a resource. Hard
product push is not advised at this time.
The COVID-19 pandemic could be an opportunity for brand positioning.
Media are covering brand contributions, as long as these are unique,
impactful, and relatable. Please get in touch with your GolinMENA team to
explore relevant ways to drive media engagement.
Media Priorities Snapshot