Victims and casualties: good journalistic practices in media coverage of natural disasters in Chile

Abstract

In the present article, the results of a study addressed to the identification of best practices for the media coverage of catastrophes, tragedies, and crimes against people are presented. A qualitative methodology that enabled a direct approach with the different players involved, through semi-structures interviews with open and paid TV channels executives, and also with professionals and board executives involved in Governmental Public Services, who relate to that field, was applied. The study enabled a dialogue about aspects such as the coverage guidelines in states of emergency, used editorial criteria, and self-regulated technical orientations. The article also considers part of the bibliographic review —national and international regulatory frameworks, referential technical orientations of European and North American TV channels—, which was commented and suggested for the elaboration of a Best Practice Manual. - gested for the elaboration of a Best Practice Manual.