Abstract
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, rescue and evacuation efforts were slowed by rumors of extreme violence in the flooded city of New Orleans, including reports of rampant murder, systematic rape, and gangs of armed thugs taking control. Moreover, public officials solidified these rumors by presenting them as fact to reporters. In this article, we examine the contribution of public officials to false news reports. Drawing on the sociology of rumor, we argue that, in part, their descriptions of extreme violence served as rationalizations for organizational and institutional paralysis. We illustrate this “interest group” interpretation with official statements and show how it can shed additional light on the role of class and racial stereotypes, the stigma experienced by Katrina evacuees, and the evolution of the New Orleans chaos narrative. Implications for rumor control and disaster management are discussed.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.