Abstract:

Based on newspaper coverage of four disasters – two within the U.A.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.

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