A touch of salt: the image of shipping in newspapers of the UK

The purpose of this study is to explore the image of shipping as communicated by selected media. To this purpose, selected press coverage of important maritime events and incidents during the years 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012 has been examined. A content analysis of newspaper articles was conducted in order to explore the initial media portrayal of important events (between 2009 and 2012) which have either enhanced or undermined the shipping community’s social image. Search included the database of the tabloid with the highest circulation, as well as the databases of other “quality” and business English language European newspapers for related articles. In total, our research examined the databases of five leading newspapers. The main objective of this research is to determine whether topics that have made the headlines in the maritime media have also attracted the attention of the general media during the first 10 days. Secondly, this research focuses on the ways in which journalists have framed these events at an embryonic stage, elaborating mainly on their primary attitudes towards the shipping industry. Analysis of results leads to the conclusion that the shipping world attracts rather limited reporting by the general press. In this respect, contrary to general belief, sensationalism and alarmism were reported only in one case, whereas mostly mixed or even indifferent tones and attitudes by reporters were recognized in all other cases examined.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1007/s13437-014-0060-2
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/1651436X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © World Maritime University 2014.
• Authors:
  • Theotokas, Ioannis
  • Bissias, Ilias
• Publication Date: 2014-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 177-190
• Serial:
  • WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
  • ISSN: 1651-436X
  • Serial URL: http://link.springer.com/journal/13437

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crisis management; Maritime industry; Mass media; Newspapers; Shipping
• Geographic Terms: Europe; United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01606662
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 28 2016 10:48AM