The right to information during the COVID-19 pandemic calls for extraordinary efforts from governments, the general public and also journalists (OHCHR,2020). Such information plays a critical role in maintaining public adherence to health guidance, including physical/social distancing currently in place in Ireland. However, constant media coverage is likely to impact on psychosocial wellbeing. This 8-month interdisciplinary mixed-method project will examine the communication of COVID-19 related cases and deaths (CCD), exploring the current and future public health value, assessing which information should, legally and ethically, be communicated, and identifying where there is a need for guidance and guidelines. It will examine national mass media and social media coverage, as well as internal communication within national and international employment settings (20 commercial companies and 10 educational contexts). Strand 1, a media study, will explore the core themes within Irish mass media, assess how these relate to reports of patients health information and disease progression, examine the ways particular audience groups (children, ‘at risk’, ‘elderly’, those with existing health conditions) are exposed to these media messages and assess connection to trust, risk and fear and public health measures (including future vaccination programmes). Stand 2, audience research, will explore the dominant and negotiated readings of mass communications and identify differences between audience segments. This stand will gather attitudinal data regarding trust, risk and fear and public health measures (including vaccination programmes). Strand 3, expert interviews, will enable us to understand the shaping of public health messages in terms of particular groups and sites, and critically assess the potential of these sites and communication channels for public health interventions (mask-wearing, cocooning, vaccination). These three stands will enable the production of evidence-based guidelines for each setting and transferable lessons for future health crises.