International journalists’ expectations from the US media coverage of Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

This study examines how international journalists evaluated the performance of the US media in the coverage of Hurricane Katrina through the concept of journalistic expectations. A survey was conducted to determine whether expectations were met and whether they differed across cultures. Data were collected from Europe, Asia/ Middle East, Africa, North America, and South America. Expectations were not met for accuracy, diversity, and skepticism but were satisfied for investigative reporting and public dialogue. Major differences existed between journalists from Europe and other continents. This study advances the concept of journalistic expectations and contributes to understanding how they vary across cultures and how international journalists evaluate their counterparts covering a major natural disaster

Language intensity as a sensationalistic news feature: The influence of style on sensationalism perceptions and effects

“…Kalyango and Eckler, 2010;McChesney, 2012;Plasser, 2005). One of the reasons for this perceived decline in quality is the increase of tabloidization (Esser, 1999) and sensationalism (Hendriks Vettehen, Nuijten, and Beentjes, 2005).…”

FEMA’s fall and redemption—applied narrative analysis

“…These points comprise the beginning, middle and end of FEMA’s redemption narrative. The narrative incorporates themes about how America perceives itself as the world’s only superpower, the pervasive impact of 11 September on US domestic policy, the institutional failure of poor US states, lack of policy learnings and the power of narrative framing (Parker et al , 2009; Kalyango and Eckler, 2010; Durham, 2008). Analysing this narrative highlights the risk of oversimplifying complex events and the importance of seeking counter-narratives (Roe, 1994).…”

Analysis of ‘proactive discourse’ in the construction of local community by the media during the 2013 Tasmanian bushfire in Australia

“…Scholars argue that media can be deployed to forecast natural disasters, release information about disaster relief, conduct regular communication in finding victims, mobilize rescue services, organize fund raising, and provide consolation (Chouliaraki, 2006;Furukawa and Denison, 2015;Jalali, 2002;Pantti et al, 2012;Perez, 2004;Scott, 2014;Thomas, 2011). Kalyango and Eckler's (2010) cross-continental survey showed a standard professional expectation for the manner in which disasters such as Hurricane Katrina should be covered, prioritizing investigative news and public dialogue. Elliot (1989) recommended that media should investigate the social causes, such as environmental destruction behind disasters instead of only recording the event.…”

“…Kalyango and Eckler’s (2010) cross-continental survey showed a standard professional expectation for the manner in which disasters such as Hurricane Katrina should be covered, prioritizing investigative news and public dialogue. Elliot (1989) recommended that media should investigate the social causes, such as environmental destruction behind disasters instead of only recording the event.…”