Enhancing the policing response to COVID-19 with media engagement: The United Arab Emirates experience

Abstract

Global evaluations of response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Clinical Practice (a network of 12,942 clinicians from 151 countries), and the Global Response to Infections Disease have consistently rated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as one of the most effective medical responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. In parallel, according to the 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer, public trust in the UAE government is 81%- A leading score in the Middle East. While widespread miscommunication rumours, and lack of coordination was observed in the early phases of COVID-19 globally, the UAE case demonstrates a comprehensive positive approach and experience. The research reported in this paper aimed to understand the role of media in the police response in relation to COVID-19 risk management in the UAE. Content analysis of documentary and data sources was conducted from public COVID-19-related meta-data sources. The findings suggest pre-defined conducive legislative and institutional structure, professionalism of media and police, and collaborative approaches among implementing agencies contributed to the success of the early phase COVID-19 risk management in the UAE. This research contributes to the body of knowledge in pandemic and infodemic risk management through analysis of the UAE experience.