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Metaphors Matter: Disaster Myths, Media Frames, and Their Consequences in Hurricane Katrina

Author

Listed:
  • Kathleen Tierney

    (Department of Sociology and the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado, University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center)

  • Christine Bevc

    (University of Colorado, Natural Hazards Center)

  • Erica Kuligowski

    (University of Colorado, Natural Hazards Center)

Abstract

It has long been understood by disaster researchers that both the general public and organizational actors tend to believe in various disaster myths. Notions that disasters are accompanied by looting, social disorganization, and deviant behavior are examples of such myths. Research shows that the mass media play a significant role in promulgating erroneous beliefs about disaster behavior. Following Hurricane Katrina, the response of disaster victims was framed by the media in ways that greatly exaggerated the incidence and severity of looting and lawlessness. Media reports initially employed a “civil unrest†frame and later characterized victim behavior as equivalent to urban warfare. The media emphasis on lawlessness and the need for strict social control both reflects and reinforces political discourse calling for a greater role for the military in disaster management. Such policy positions are indicators of the strength of militarism as an ideology in the United States.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathleen Tierney & Christine Bevc & Erica Kuligowski, 2006. "Metaphors Matter: Disaster Myths, Media Frames, and Their Consequences in Hurricane Katrina," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 604(1), pages 57-81, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:604:y:2006:i:1:p:57-81
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716205285589
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    Cited by:

    1. Farnaz Yarveysi & Atieh Alipour & Hamed Moftakhari & Keighobad Jafarzadegan & Hamid Moradkhani, 2023. "Block-level vulnerability assessment reveals disproportionate impacts of natural hazards across the conterminous United States," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Hodgkinson, Tarah & Andresen, Martin A. & Frank, Richard & Pringle, Darren, 2022. "Crime down in the Paris of the prairies: Spatial effects of COVID-19 and crime during lockdown in Saskatoon, Canada," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Giacomo Buoncompagni, 2024. "The Crisis of Journalism and the Health of Journalists," Studies in Media and Communication, Redfame publishing, vol. 12(2), pages 140-147, June.
    4. Angelo Jonas Imperiale & Frank Vanclay, 2021. "Conceptualizing community resilience and the social dimensions of risk to overcome barriers to disaster risk reduction and sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(5), pages 891-905, September.
    5. Giacomo Buoncompagni, 2023. "Notizie di comunit? nell?instabilit?. Dove sta andando il giornalismo locale?," PRISMA Economia - Societ? - Lavoro, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(1-2), pages 160-176.

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