Communication in Disaster—The Contribution of the Press to Highlighting Vulnerabilities: The Case of Rio Grande Do Sul State, Brazil

In this article, we explore the role of the media in highlighting an important yet often underestimated aspect of disasters: vulnerability. We use coverage of a disaster that occurred in Brazil’s southernmost state to demonstrate that the effects of a disaster extend far beyond the intensity of the extreme event itself. The concept of vulnerability is increasingly recognized in disaster literature, but the communication factors influencing this concept have not been thoroughly examined. We employ a modern conceptual framework that suggests disasters, such as the one that occurred in Brazil in 2024, stem from two interconnected threats: one natural and one anthropogenic. This second component, often not explicitly mentioned in reports, becomes evident when viewed through the lens of disaster risk. This understanding is beneficial for researchers, policy makers, and disaster experts in systematically identifying the socio-structural factors that affect the impact of extreme natural events. Furthermore, effective disaster reporting can transform how individuals and crisis managers understand hazards and respond to disasters.