The Depth of Hurricane Katrina Imagery: A Longitudinal Study Through the Lens of Commemorative Journalism and Iconicity

Abstract

This longitudinal research uses content analysis and survey data to consider both news media presentation and audience interpretation of images from the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina within the theoretical frameworks of iconic imagery and commemorative journalism. The data show that imagery themes, rather than select images, are remembered regarding Hurricane Katrina. Comparing print and digital news as sites of media content, and in consideration of commemorative journalism, the data showed that while print news focused on current visual imagery best classified as “moving forward,” digital news galleries focused on original visual imagery best classified as “looking back,” with internet space functioning in such a way as to make historic images ubiquitous, and, in a sense, permanent.

Keywords:

• Commemorative Journalism
• Content Analysis
• Hurricane Katrina
• Iconic Images
• Longitudinal Study