Unreported world

A critical analysis of UK newspaper coverage of post‐disaster events

Bibliographic Data

ID7783356
AuthorsJack J Porter (0000-0002-5442-5544, Department of Geography King's College London London UK, corresponding author), Grace Evans (Department of Geography King's College London London UK)
Year2020
Volume186
Issue3
Pages327-338
Publication date2020-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeographical Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0016-7398 • E-ISSN: 1475-4959
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/geoj.12353
OpenAlexW3034386853
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited37

This paper assesses the extent to which a disparity exists in post‐disaster reporting of global North and global South events in UK newspapers, how that disparity manifests itself, and the consequences of that disparity. A critical discourse analysis was used involving a documentary analysis of UK national newspaper articles published on two disasters, Hurricane Harvey in the USA and the South Asian monsoon, in 2017. A reporting bias was found in favour of the number of articles published, the length of those articles, and duration of coverage for the global North disaster. Language used and imagery evoked also differed considerably. Whereas UK media coverage of the global North focused on shared cultural, economic and political values, coverage of the global South emphasised difference, reinforcing an “us” and “them” mentality based on the poor alignment of national/political interests. Such disparities are deeply problematic for informing the public about global matters of concern, creating empathy between nations, and building support for collective action

Development economics · Economics · Geography · Media coverage · Media studies · Newspaper · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Disaster Management and Resilience · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Public Relations and Crisis Communication

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