Covering Major Epidemics/Pandemics

News organisations, science communicators, and science journalists have been essential sources of information during the COVID-19 pandemic and past recent major outbreaks, including epidemics like the H1N1 flu, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, Zika, SARS, and MERS. The coverage of developing events creates enormous challenges, however, and in some cases, can spread unwarranted panic or misinformation. Throughout time, the main objectives of pandemic coverage and the general topics that needed to be communicated have not changed. However, since the 1980s, the tools available for covering emerging pathogens and epidemics have evolved, and with them, new questions and challenges have arisen that must be recognised and addressed. This chapter addresses the evolution, quality, shortcomings, and impacts of pandemic coverage from the early 1980s to the present. In addition, it proposes points to consider for the improvement of pandemic coverage. Current trends, research gaps, tensions, and unresolved conflicts will be discussed.