Analysing visual narratives: the representation of floods through photojournalism in the context of disaster reporting

Résumé

Flooding incidents in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, have increased significantly since the 20th century, with the April 2022 floods regarded as among the most disastrous recorded in the province. Literature recognises the role of photojournalists in disaster communication and management, as images provide visual evidence of devastation, human suffering, property damage, and the scale of disasters. The 2022 KZN floods constitute a significant case because their scale, visibility, human loss, infrastructural destruction, and extensive media coverage provide a strong basis for examining how visual journalism frames disaster, vulnerability, and public responsibility in South Africa. Although studies have examined photojournalism in flood reporting, no published study has specifically analysed the visual framing of the 2022 KZN floods. This study used visual framing analysis to examine photographic coverage of the floods on IOL and News24. It also explored the ethical implications of depicting dead and mutilated bodies, grief, and gender stereotyping. Using qualitative content analysis and purposive sampling, 50 photographs, including hard news photos, stand-alone photos, and feature story photographs published between April and June 2022, were analysed. Findings show that the significant frames include human interest, economics, and gender. The study highlights the need for ethical guidelines and best practices in disaster photojournalism.

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