Analyzing earthquake news in the context of disaster journalism: The case of ATV and NOW TV (FOX) news bulletins

Today's society faces unprecedented challenges related to disasters and natural hazards, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. The role of the media during disasters is not only to provide information but also to contribute to disaster risk reduction. However, presenting disaster news on television often risks violating the moral and ethical principles of journalism. Broadcasting such news content during disasters influences audience perceptions and contributes to the formation of public opinion. After the earthquake that severely shook Türkiye in 1999, the earthquake that occurred in the Turkish province Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, has become significant in terms of large- scale disaster risk. In this context, the article "Analyzing Earthquake News in the Context of Disaster Journalism: The Case of ATV and NOW TV (FOX) Main News Bulletins" examines the main aspects of agenda-setting and the main and distinctive features of disaster journalism. The study analyzed the evening editions of ATV ana NOW TV (FOX) main news bulletins covering earthquake news between February 6 and February 25, 2023, on both weekdays, and weekends. The study employed quantitative and qualitative content analyses of earthquake news in major newscasts, focusing on the context of disaster journalism, ethical criteria, and psychological impact.