Managing problematic visual media in natural hazard emergencies

In natural hazard emergencies, visual media (images, videos) document and convey the possible risk, impact, and severity of the hazard. Issues arise when the visuals being circulated, at scale and speed, are manipulated, fake, or are from an unrelated event or location. These problematic visuals can impact how communities interpret the risk of an emergency. Further, when visual media present information (i.e. a cue) in conflict with what an emergency services agency is instructing the public to do, it can lead to uncertainty and confusion in the community on how to act. This research identifies four specific types of problematic visual media that are common to natural hazard emergencies in Australia. We propose a combination of reactive and proactive strategies that can be employed by emergency services agencies to manage the extent and impact of these problematic visuals.

Automated summary

Visual media plays a crucial role in communicating the risk and impact of natural hazard emergencies, but issues like manipulation, fabrication, and conflicting information may lead to uncertainty and confusion in communities. This research identifies common types of problematic visual media in Australia's natural hazard emergencies and proposes a combination of reactive and proactive strategies that emergency services agencies can use to mitigate the extent and impact of these issues.