Media reporting plays a key role in the perception, management and even creation of crisis [6] . Since media reports are retrievable and because the messages are widely distributed, they gain authority as an intersubjective anchorage for personal recollection [4] . At times of crisis, non-state-controlled media thrive, while statecontrolled media are usually rewarded for creating an illusion of normalcy [6] . Media exposure and attention partially mediate the effects of variables such as demographics and personal experience on risk judgments [5] . The role of media coverage on disease outbreaks is thus crucial and should be given prominence in the study of disease dynamics.