Local and National Media Coverage of Disaster: A Content Analysis of the Print Media's Treatment of Disaster Myths

Abstract

Based on newspaper coverage for four disasters-two within the U.S.A., one in Algeria, and one in Italy - Goltz (1984) concluded that generally the media do not present images of maladaptive behavior or disaster myths. This article reexamines Goltz's findings, presents additional relevant data from media coverage of Hurricane Alicia and dissects several important methodological issues. Our conclusion is a counterpoint observation that the mass communication system does contain mythical elements.