Examining the relationship between media representations of typhoon-related issues and public risk perception

Abstract

Japan is prone to typhoons and has accumulated a wide range of knowledge about preparing for typhoon disasters. With the development of the Internet, risk information associated with typhoon disasters has increased in online sites. In the pre-emergency phase, media coverage serves as an important guideline for individual disaster mitigation actions. However, depending on which aspects of risk are portrayed in media, attention may be focused only on a few specific risky areas or events. When people do not perceive risk correctly, the risk message can be misleading for mitigation actions. This study conducted a quantitative content analysis to examine how the risk of typhoons was understood by users through online news stories concerning Typhoon Hagibis in 2019 during the pre-emergency phase. Our results found that perception of typhoon risk was distorted by previous typhoon disaster coverage. Additionally, disinformation that could cause confusion in disaster prevention behaviors, was spread on online message boards. Bulletin boards have the potential to inform many people of social norms that encourage them to be well prepared for typhoons. According to the content analysis of online comments, online users indicated that mandatory orders from the government provide the only excuse for missing work during a crisis. Risk managers should monitor the spread of inaccurate information about disaster prevention activities and convince companies to conduct pre-disaster preparedness planning with employees. Clear presentation of social norms on disaster prevention make it easier for people to take disaster prevention actions.