Media Management in Disaster Events: A Case Study of a Japanese Earthquake (original) (raw)
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Studia Medioznawcze. - 2012, nr 1 (48)
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This article examines local and regional media reporting in Japan following the triple disaster in 2011. Unlike the national newspapers and TV stations whose reporting was accused of downplaying the nuclear disaster, the media of Tohoku took on a more open and grassroots-oriented approach of reporting. According to various reports, local and regional media played an important role in providing crucial information, while they also conveyed the voices of those struggling to overcome the aftermath of disaster. Building upon a series of narrative interviews with Japanese journalists, this study investigates their perceived role in disaster reporting. It reveals that the gap between national and regional media in Japan originates in the conflicts resulting from centralism, but also in the high impact of the journalists' professional environment. Concerning the local and regional media, three main 'orientations' have been reconstructed from the interview data: (1) a supportive approach toward the people affected by the disaster, (2) a strong sense of belonging to the community covered, and (3) a critical distance toward Tokyo politics and media.
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Keio Communication Review, 2013
This paper illuminates post-disaster media trends and frames through an examination of local newspaper coverage in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011. After providing contextualization of how the media treat disaster events, the paper examines post-disaster news trends together with three highly different post-disaster frames through an examination of columns in the Fukushima Minpō of Fukushima Prefecture, the Kahoku Shimpō of Miyagi Prefecture, and the Tōōnippō of Aomori Prefecture. The results show a trend towards decline in the frequency of ‗mentions' that the event receives as news, which is then replaced by coverage in the form of long-running special theme columns. The framing of the disaster-related columns in the local newspapers reflect, understandably, the local issue
Masters Dissertation, 2016
This study uses a mixed-method approach to analyse the coverage of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis in Japan’s two major English-language newspapers – The Japan Times and The Daily Yomiuri. Quantitative coding is combined with critical discourse analysis to determine whether the coverage was, overall, predominantly alarming, reassuring, or relatively balanced and neutral. This is done to ascertain whether the newspapers were sensationalising the crisis, echoing the official government and industry communication thereof, or reporting in a critical, responsible manner as the fourth estate. To answer the research question, key aspects of the coverage like foci, framing, sources, narratives, actors and agency, and criticisms are closely examined. It is revealed that the coverage was neither predominantly alarming nor reassuring, but was problematic in other ways. The implications of the complex findings, both for the Japanese media industry and international disaster reporting, are discussed. The study is situated in a broad literature framework that draws on agenda setting theory, research about the roles and responsibilities of the media, the field of risk communication and the reporting of radiation events in history.
Radiation protection dosimetry, 2016
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This paper illuminates post-disaster media trends and frames through an examination of local newspaper coverage in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011. After providing contextualization of how the media treat disaster events, the paper examines post-disaster news trends together with three highly different post-disaster frames through an examination of columns in the Fukushima Minpō of Fukushima Prefecture, the Kahoku Shimpō of Miyagi Prefecture, and the Tōōnippō of Aomori Prefecture. The results show a trend towards decline in the frequency of ‘mentions’ that the event receives as news, which is then replaced by coverage in the form of long-running special theme columns. The framing of the disaster-related columns in the local newspapers reflect, understandably, the local issue focus that emerged out of the event – the tsunami for Miyagi versus the nuclear accident for Fukushima. However, the Aomori Tōōnippō case presents a framing of the nuclear disas...
Five National News Programs on the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011
2013
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The Role of Mass Media in Disaster Management
Mass media are tools for the transfer of information, concepts, and ideas to both general and specific audiences. They are important tools in advancing public health goals. Communicating about health through mass media is complex, however, and challenges professionals in diverse disciplines. In an article in the Journal of Health Communication, Liana Winett and Lawrence Wallack wrote that "using the mass media to improve public health can be like navigating a vast network of roads without any street signs-if you are not sure where you are going and why, chances are you will not reach your destination" (1996, p. 173). Social scientists and experts are of the view that through a system of devoted international cooperation, human sufferings caused by catastrophic impacts of disasters could be reduced significantly. This cooperation revolves around public information and education; improved warning systems; disaster preparedness; and mitigation. These measures are aimed at ensuring improved public safety and lower economic losses. If we observe closely, communication is the most important means for achieving all of the above-stated objectives. These measures are aimed at ensuring improved public safety and lower economic losses. If we observe closely, communication is the most important means for achieving all of the above-stated objectives.