Nicholls, S., Sykes, J., & Camilleri, P.
(2010). The role of the media and communication in recovery from natural disasters:
A case study of the Canberra firestorm and its aftermath 2003-2007. Australian
Journal of Communication, 37(3), 33-50. http://search.proquest.com/docview/884025474?accountid=14723
There are three contributors to this article, all
of whom have an academic background. Dr Susan Nicholls is an Associate
Professor at the University of Canberra, Jolyon Sykes is a Journalism
Researcher at the same institution and Peter Camilleri is a Professor of Social
work at the Australian Catholic University. All contributors have also
previously published research papers and have established high levels of
credibility in their respective fields. The varying specialisations of the
contributors add depth to the article as the subject matter, how the media
impacts on the recovery of victims of natural disasters, can be examined from
different viewpoints. There is a varied and comprehensive list of references
which add credibility and gravitas to the information put forward in the
article. The text examines the role the media plays in the aftermath of a
natural disaster, using the Canberra bushfires as a case study. Using
information gathered from their research, and a questionnaire completed by 500 survivors,
the study concludes that the media ‘played a significant role in the recovery
of the community, both positively and negatively’. Through the study, it is revealed that at the
time of the fires, the most trusted media sources were local newspapers, and
the ABC, both radio and television. The paper also contrasts the views of
survivors who either relied heavily on media coverage for information, and
those who chose to avoid all forms of media, thus presenting a balanced view
from those affected by the disaster and the role of the media in reporting
them.
Calligeros, M. (2011, January 14). Brisbane flood victims to
confront the destruction. Brisbane Times. Retrieved from http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au
Brisbane Times is an online newspaper with a large amount of
local content, as well as international information, however it is primarily
targeted at a South-East Queensland readership. It is a branch of Fairfax
media, one of Australia’s largest publishers of print, online, and radio media.
Fairfax has major news publications in several states and has a large percentage
share of the Australian media. Brisbane Times is a form of commercial media,
and it stands to reason that because of this, they wish to only publish
articles that they believe will meet public demand. The article covers the 2011
Queensland floods, with a particular focus on the Brisbane area. There is an
accompanying photo gallery featuring images of the floodwater and the
destruction it caused. The article does feature some dramatic language, such as
‘monster river’, ‘devastating destruction’ and ‘putrid, tar-like sludge.’ This
is in contrast to the more straightforward reporting style of the ABC
publication. It can be seen that from the graphic images to the descriptive
language, the article is presenting the disaster in a dramatic light in order to
gain a wider audience. Despite being a Brisbane publication, the article offers
little tangible information and advice for Brisbane residents affected by the
floods, instead choosing to sensationalise the event for a broader reading
public.
Santow, S. (2010, December 30). AM [Radio broadcast]. Australia:
ABC
This AM program broadcast by the ABC discusses the financial
and emotional costs of the floods on those affected, with a particular focus on
farmers. The ABC is one of Australia’s premier providers of news across all
platforms, and in contrast to Fairfax, is a form of public, or non-commercial
media. The ABC is not driven by making profit, and is therefore in a position
to produce news stories which may not appeal to advertisers and a broad target
market. In this radio piece flood victims recount the damage to their property
and crops and the likely loss of revenue that will come from downgraded crops.
The piece then relates this damage back to all Australians by revealing that
with a decrease in farming in the region, there will be a ‘spike in retail
prices’ across the eastern seaboard as well as an all over shortage of goods.
This report speaks to a flood victim in Millmerran, as well as two farming
officials, from Queensland and Victoria and it is this selection of
interviewees that help give the report its depth. There appears to be little
bias in this piece, and this is in keeping with the findings by Nicholls et. al.
that Australians trusted the ABC in their coverage of natural disasters.
AAP. (2011, January 13). Brisbane wakes up to water logged
streets. Ninemsn. Retrieved from http://news.ninemsn.com.au/
This article offers a broader look at the events of the
floods than the previous pieces, featuring many links, images and other online
content, in an attempt to please its tech savvy readership. Ninemsn is the
online branch of channel 9, which is in turn owned by Publishing and
Broadcasting limited, which runs many publications as well as online and
television content, and is owned by the Packer family. This, like the Brisbane
Times piece, is a form of commercial media however this piece is aimed at a
wide audience on a national level. It is because of this that is offers little
localised content and information for Brisbane readers. Ninemsn does not have a
reputation for producing quality and unbiased news, however this piece provides
a relatively straightforward, albeit slightly dramatized look at the events of
the floods. There is no journalist credited with writing the piece, rather it
is attributed to AAP, thus revealing that there is little, if any, specialised
content for a Queensland audience. The article does feature quotes from then
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, however these quotes were originally given to the
ABC and reused for this story and don’t offer the reader any great insight into
the local reaction to the crisis. This lack of local content would be a
contributing factor as to why victims of natural disasters would turn to local
and trusted national media.
