Centro de Documentacion de Fundación MAPFRE - Media, risk, and absence of blame for "acts of God" : attenuation of the European volcanic ash cloud of 2010

Notes: Sumario: This article analyzes the character, extent, and patterns of media coverage of the 2010 volcanic ash cloud, comparing it with coverage of other major natural hazards, such as Deepwater Horizon. It does so drawing upon sociological themes and concludes that the ash cloud was reported largely in its own terms rather than being amplified as a wider, uncertain threat. As well as the absence of major incident and casualties two interrelated factors are highlighted to explain this result. Emphasizing the importance of hazard duration, the unexpected arrival and short-lived character of the ash cloud was one important factor that limited the potential for sustained media amplification. More broadly, this was an act of God with no clear responsible agents. This preliminary study suggests that contemporary media risk narrative requires a focus for institutional blame attribution, and without a plausible candidate amplification may not acquire momentum.Related records: En: Risk analysis : an international journal. - McLean, Virginia : Society for Risk Analysis, 1987-2015 = ISSN 0272-4332. - 08/10/2012 Volumen 32 Número 10 - octubre 2012 , p. 1693-1702Materia / lugar / evento: Nubes de polvo Volcanes Erupciones volcánicas Gerencia de riesgos Riesgos extraordinarios Medios de comunicación Unión Europea Other categories: 7

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