Visual Reporting on Heatwaves

Often, media reporting contains problematic visuals of heatwaves - while the text of news articles will discuss the serious health impacts of extreme heat, the associated visuals will often show people having "fun in the sun", lounging on beaches or splashing in fountains. 

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This project, led by AP Saffron O'Neill, analysed media images of heatwave reporting from major online newspapers across four countries: the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the UK.

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Findings:

1. Most visuals were positively valanced (depicting positive scenes and evoking positive emotions), in contrast to article text. 

2. The most prevalent type of images in all countries were photographs of people having fun in or by water

3. When images did depict the danger of heat extremes, people were largely absent

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We conclude that this visual framing of heatwaves is problematic: first, by displacing concerns of vulnerability, it marginalises the experiences of those vulnerable to heatwaves; and second, it excludes opportunities for imagining a more resilient future. 

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