Case study on the distribution of disaster risk information in China

초록

Purpose - This article aims to explore the characteristics of disaster risk distribution information in China. Also, this research attempts to analyze the findings of risk communication using case study in chronological order in terms of social amplification of risk. To achieve the purpose, the paper reviews the trends and issues of risk communication in China, with an emphasis on examining earthquakes by a chronological approach. In these regards, we hope that some relevant findings from this empirical study with cases will be able to enhance national risk communication and provide implications in Korea as well. Research design, data, and methodology - The conceptual framework of this study is theoretically based on the risk amplification model, which describes signals about risk transmitted and processed by individuals and social groups. The social amplification of risk also reflects the interactions of social groups about disaster-related risk issues, which are potential amplifiers or attenuators of communication signals. The key concept of social amplification implies that the risks pertaining to natural disasters interact with social, psychological, institutional, and cultural processes in ways that can affect public perceptions of risk. SMCRE Model is methodologically employed to examine risk communication history of China with the focus on natural disaster. Four earthquakes are selected to figure out the chronological characteristics of risk communication since 1970s. He bei Tang Shan earthquake is selected as an example disaster before 1990's, while the earthquake in Yun Nan Jiang is explored for the case study of 1990's. The earthquake in Si Chuan Wen Chuan is also examined as a example disaster of 2000's. The recent earth-quake in Si Chuan Ya An Lu Shan is selected as a case of 2010s. Results - SMCRE model in this case study is operationally defined as a methodology and applied to the four earthquakes occurred in China. SMCRE model describes the exchange of risk information and is also applied to all forms of communication between stake holders. Each factor of risk communication includes source, message, channel, receiver and effect. It is notable that a big progress has been made on disaster risk communication in China for the past 40 years. We also found that highly developed information technology has enabled Chinese society to better cope with natural disaster, leading to enhanced disaster risk communication. It is mainly found from case study that the disaster risk communication of China has been involved with political situation, which derived from the change of government for the past 40 years. Conclusion - From this historical research, it can be inferred that the policies and politics of Chinese leaders have had a more critical role to play in the process of source of risk communication than those of any other countries. The results of this paper also support that the effective risk communication involves not only the improved reliability of local government as a key factor of disaster risk communication, but also is accompanied by international cooperation for substantial collaboration with stake holders.

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