Distributing Instructive and Legitimate Crisis Communication: COVID-19 Press Conferences in Scandinavia
SI1/2026
Author: Anna Elisabeth Hasselström
Citation: Hasselström, A. E. (2026). Distributing Instructive and Legitimate Crisis Communication: COVID-19 Press Conferences in Scandinavia. Mediální studia 20(SI1), 14–35. https://doi.org/10.65502/si1-2026.02
Abstract: This study presents a thematic analysis of press conferences conducted by public health authorities in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines how pandemic-related Scandinavian press conferences framed instructive messages to resonate with the public, provide explanatory information, and offer actionable guidance in accordance with the IDEA model. In addition, this study expands on the IDEA model to include legitimacy of crisis leaders. Overall, the three Scandinavian countries implemented all dimension of the IDEA model and legitimacy. However, differences emerged between the countries, with Norway prioritizing internalization, explanation, and legitimacy and Denmark similarly prioritizing internalization and legitimacy, but action instead of explanation. Meanwhile, Sweden prioritized explanation, emphasizing data transparency and scientific information.
Keywords: Public Health Authorities ■ Crisis Communication ■ Covid-19 Pandemic ■ IDEA model ■ Legitimacy ■ Press Conferences