Reconstructing reality: interpreting the aeroplane disaster news story

Abstract

At 9 a.m. on 31 August 1988, Delta Flight 1141 crashed on take‐off, killing 13 people and leaving 94 survivors. Existing research has furthered our insight into media coverage of disasters but it has not broadened our understanding of disaster narrative interpretations and disaster behaviour education. In total, 24 in‐depth interviews explore reader interpretations of print‐mediated disaster reality and the Delta 1141 disaster. Disaster news stories provide the frames people use to interpret aeroplane disaster behaviour. Concludes the media need to recognize that their pedagogical role extends beyond disaster reporting and includes disaster behaviour information.

Citation

Garner, A.C. (1996), "Reconstructing reality: interpreting the aeroplane disaster news story", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 5-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653569610121196