Dimensions of Emergency Messages as Perceived By Journalists and Sources

The paper posits a set of dimensions along which emergency communication message construction between journalists and official sources differs from other message interaction. The coorientation model is used to assess both groups’ views about three features of emergency news and to evaluate their expectations about each others’ views on the topic. Journalists and official sources exhibit somewhat similar attitudes and beliefs with regard to accuracy, timeliness, and audience panic but vary widely with regard to their understanding of the other’s views. Findings indicating such divergence are a concern because they could become a barrier to the provision of high-quality emergency news, a source of important guidance to the public during times of crisis.