Visual portrayals of fun in the sun in European news outlets misrepresent heatwave risks

Bibliographic Data

ID7782004
AuthorsSaffron O''Neill (0000-0002-9062-6247, Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Exeter UK, corresponding author), Sylvia Hayes (0000-0003-3541-9891, Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Exeter UK), Nadine Strauβ (Department of Communication and Media Research University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland), Marie‐Noëlle Doutreix (ICOM, Communication Institute University of Lyon Lyon France), Katharine Steentjes (0000-0002-8661-8287, Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations, School of Psychology Cardiff University Cardiff UK), Joshua Ettinger (0000-0002-6053-6048, School of Geography and Environment University of Oxford Oxford UK), Ned Westwood (Environmental Intelligence, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences University of Exeter Exeter UK), John Painter (0000-0003-4155-6243, University of Oxford), James Painter (0000-0002-5909-5206, School of Geography and Environment University of Oxford Oxford UK)
Year2023
Volume189
Issue1
Pages90-103
Publication date2023-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeographical Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0016-7398 • E-ISSN: 1475-4959
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/geoj.12487
OpenAlexW4306746467
LanguageEN
Citations received25
References cited52

The ways in which news media communicate about heatwaves can influence how society conceptualises and addresses heatwave risks. We examined visual news coverage of the 2019 heatwaves in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, using content and visual critical discourse analyses. Many visuals were positively valenced (in contrast to article texts), framing heatwaves as ‘fun in the sun’. The most prevalent type of images in all countries were photographs of people having fun in or by water. When images did depict the danger of heat extremes, people were largely absent. We conclude that this visual framing of heatwaves is problematic: first, by displacing concerns of vulnerability, it marginalises the experiences of those vulnerable to heatwaves; and second, it excludes opportunities for imagining a more resilient future. We conclude with suggestions to diversify the visual discourse on climate change and heatwaves in the news media

Art · Computer security · Framing (construction · Geography · Political science · Visual arts · Visual media · Vulnerability (computing · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Media Influence and Health · Psychology · Public Relations and Crisis Communication