This study focuses on the importance of mass media communication activities and the role of community outreach before, during, and after a natural...
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This study focuses on the importance of mass media communication activities and the role of community outreach before, during, and after a natural disaster, specifically the October 2007 San Diego Wildfires. Using the events that followed Hurricane Katrina in 2005 as a framework, this study analyzes how the actual media coverage of each event was portrayed to the public – which includes printed publications, broadcast journalism, and internet-based blogs. This study further examines the importance of achieving community awareness concerning natural disasters and how the San Diego County Office of Emergency succeeded in preparing the citizens of San Diego for the wildfire. One of the main findings in the study states that manipulation of the media – such as the unethical use of yellow journalism or decontextualized imageries or citizen-participatory journalism – significantly alters the aftermath of a natural disaster and how it is perceived by the general public. Another main finding of this research is the importance of community outreach prior to a natural disaster. Programs such as CERT, RACES, and ESP make emergency planning accessible for civilians to be prepared at all times and allow certified citizens to actively participate as volunteer workers during an actual disaster. Manipulation of media, paired with the role of citizen participation in the community during a natural disaster is crucial in order to remain calm and alert during an emergency. The results of this study further discusses the need for more funding in local emergency management agencies throughout the nation to effectively contain and respond to natural disasters.
