Author

Chao- Chen Lin

Keywords

ratings, disaster journalism, disaster management, Television, news ethics

Abstract

The study explores ratings-driven television disaster journalism and other related issues on one side and discusses the relationship between disaster reporting and disaster management on the other. This study uses qualitative research methods such as “case study” and “in depth interview”, focuses on the four typhoon disasters occurring between July and September of 2008 and Melamine event happening on September of 2008. This study conducts related analysis affecting the disaster news production system of television in Taiwan. This paper concerns about the reality of ratings-driven disaster reporting and relevant discussions about the role of the journalist and ethics of journalism in disaster reporting.