The role of media in disasters: the example of Bitlis local press Kahramanmaraş earthquakes

The world has been exposed to many disasters since its existence. Disasters, which are contemporary with the history of humanity, have caused many people to lose their lives or to be affected in some way from past to present. Cooperation between countries, local administrations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), national and international organisations and individuals is extremely important in reducing the effects of disasters that negatively affect human life in every sense. One of these important collaborations is the relationship between disaster and media. Media is one of the fastest and easily accessible tools for pre-disaster information and awareness raising. In this sense, media has an important role in disaster management. Media contributes to the process of the society to be ready for all kinds of disasters with its publications for raising awareness by using mass communication tools in disaster preparedness processes. At the same time, the media also conveys accurate information to the people by reporting what happened during and after the disaster and at the same time provides fast and accurate information flow about disasters. This can help people to make right decisions in disaster processes and to be less affected from disasters. In this study, the function, role and importance of the media in disasters have been discussed and the relationship between media and disaster has been tried to be analysed through a literature review. In addition, in the Bitlis case part of the study, the role of Bitlis local media in Kahramanmaraş-centred earthquake and general disasters has been examined by using two general data collection techniques, namely observation and document analysis, which are qualitative research methods, and suggestions for the effective use of the media have been tried to be developed. As a result, it was concluded that there is an important relationship between media and disaster in the context of Disaster Management. Researches also show that media plays important roles such as informing the society before, during and after disasters, making preparations and conveying calls for help. Therefore, effective use of media as a part of disaster management strategies is very important for disaster management.