Proximity as a News Value: A Quantitative Analysis of February 2023 Türkiye Earthquakes News in International Media

Authors : Oktay Kirazoluğu

Pages : 662-675

Doi:10.36362/gumus.1357150

View : 151 | Download : 112

Publication Date : 2024-10-08

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The researchers mainly assert that the press prioritizes the country\'s neighboring geographical areas in covering foreign news. As a news selection criterion, proximity is an essential measure of becoming news, especially in disasters. Türkiye faced devastating earthquakes in February 2023, and the news on the disaster covered a significant place in international media, which is vital to become a medium for rescue efforts and foreign aid to those in need. This study aims to determine whether the international media covers earthquake news within the \"proximity\" news value criteria. Hence, selected newspapers in the sixteen countries are analyzed quantitatively for five days after the event. The analysis results show that physically close nations cover the related news more than physically distant nations, partly confirming previous studies. However, the effect of the physical distance of the newspaper\'s hometown to the event scene on its coverage has started to lose its importance due to its online accessibility. The import, export, tourism, and population volume between countries does not have a significant effect on the coverage of earthquake news in the related country, contrary to what was expected. Earthquakes have a news value of magnitude, but in the absence of physical proximity, journalists seek psychological closeness to the readers. Therefore, the historical background, the religion and nationality relationship, and the current bilateral relations between the countries should also be considered in the evaluations regarding the news coverage in other countries.
Keywords : Haber Değerleri, Yakınlık Etkisi, Deprem Haberleri