Information-Seeking Behaviour During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Karnataka

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when uncertainty and fear dominated public life, information-seeking behaviour became especially critical as individuals relied heavily on media to stay informed, safe, and connected. Information-seeking behaviour (ISB) in media refers to the deliberate effort’s individuals make to locate, access, and utilise information through various media channels to satisfy specific needs or goals. The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented global health crisis that disrupted everyday life and generated an urgent demand for accurate, timely, and accessible information. Understanding informationseeking behaviour (ISB) in this context is particularly significant, as the way individuals’ access and interpret information has a direct impact on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to health, safety, and social responsibility. In this background, the study was conducted to identify the most preferred media for information-seeking, to examine the information-seeking behaviour, and to examine the perception of the audience on the role of the Media during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a structured questionnaire to find the answer to the above objectives. A survey was conducted with 465 samples, and the convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to select the samples. This study will help policymakers to adapt practical interventions that enhance the resilience of individuals and communities when confronted with crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.