COMMUNICATING ABOUT HEATWAVES.FINAL.pdf (18.92 MB)
Communicating about heatwaves: Risk perception, message fatigue, and threat normalisation
journal contribution
posted on 2019-02-05, 23:00 authored by Scott Hanson-EaseyScott Hanson-Easey, Alana HansenAlana Hansen, Susan WilliamsSusan Williams, Peng BiPeng BiThis report describes findings from three studies: a survey with the South Australian public (n=416), lay public focus groups and interviews (n=63), and a critical national TV-news analysis (n=22). The studies investigated the following:
· The public perception of heatwave risk and personal vulnerability.
· How heatwave messaging, notwithstanding their source, were accepted and responded to.
· If, and in what way, the phenomenon of ‘message fatigue’ (becoming tired of repeated messages) was impacting heatwave communication.
· How TV-news reported on heatwaves, and the implications for risk communication