Media coverage of the ‘UK flooding crisis’: a social panorama

Abstract

A disaster referred to by the press as the 'UK flooding crisis' occurred between December 2015 and January 2016. This study employed three different levels of analysis to identify a multidimensional perspective adopted in the disaster reporting of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). These levels revealed details about the social actors and their interactions. The set of news exposed diverse viewpoints on the crisis, from loss and damage to distinct affected subgroups to the various social engagement actions of aid and the multiplicity of technical response measures. The conclusions highlight considerable social amplitude in the BBC's coverage; however, owing to the reductionist approach of this media communicator, the field of action involving different social actors was not very clear in the content of the news, particularly with regard to cohesion, conflict/obstruction, and concernthe concept of crisis in its essence. In addition, the paper suggests new questions for future reports.

Quantitative analysis of actors' mention in press coverage of a seismo-volcanic activity in the French overseas

“…While other studies have recognized scientists as "bridges" and "focal points" among various actors (Trias et al, 2019), the notable overrepresentation of scientific figures and institutions is noteworthy here. This could be attributed to journalists focusing on short-term issues like hazard descriptions, impacts, and emergency operations (Devès et al, 2019) or the complexities arising from scientific uncertainties requiring focused attention (Valencio and Valencio, 2018). Scientific actors, being perceived as those with the knowledge, are considered closest to understanding the phenomenon and thus are positioned to make recommendations (Oreskes, 2019).…”

“…In the general imagination, its protection is the reason for the organisation of this network, but its opinion is seldom expressed, even in local media which tend to apply pre-constructed news templates (Jemphrey and Berrington, 2000). This perpetuates an asymmetrical and hierarchical representation favouring those perceived to hold knowledge (scientists, institutions in charge of civil protection) at the expense of the inhabitants' perspective, who find themselves in the position of undergoing and being protected (Valencio and Valencio, 2018;Gonzalez et al, 2022). Journalists' common practices make it challenging for them to distance themselves from this representation (Cavaca et al, 2016).…”

“…They may also implicitly replicate common misconceptions (see Quarantelli, 1996) or reproduce asymmetrical power relationships between actors without really questioning them (local vs national authorities, experts vs lay public, etc., see Valencio and Valencio (2018) on the under-representation of at-risk communities' vision about recovery solutions for their lives or Devès et al (2023) on reproduction of asymmetrical power relationships in the media discourses in the context of a French oversea seismo-volcanic crisis).…”

Actionable Information in Flood Risk Communications and the Potential for New Web-Based Tools for Long-Term Planning for Individuals and Community

“…Bright and Bagley (2017) noticed that election cycles can impact the extent of coverage of media events. Valencio and Valencio (2018) somewhat apologetically highlighted the many dilemmas involved in mass media reporting of catastrophic events, with the need to balance different expectations, perspectives, and needs desired by mass media consumers, all amid various logistical and financial limitations, leading to possible reduction of trust in the mass media. Consumers have also perceived that mass media effectiveness is less than ideal (Ajaero et al, 2016).…”

Urban freshwaters, biodiversity, and human health and well‐being: Setting an interdisciplinary research agenda

“…The ability to quantify nonmarket valuations may be challenging and may also be influenced by the media, and by historical and cultural associations. Contemporary media representations of urban blue space may often be negative, portraying them as dangerous elements within the landscape due in large part to the spate of flooding incidents in recent years (Valencio & Valencio, ). There is also a clear need to incorporate local priorities into the valuation of services and disservices, since the importance of ecosystem services will vary dependent upon local needs.…”