30/11/2025
Sri Lanka’s Political Apathy and Media Spectacle in the Face of Disaster”
“Why We Lost the Forecasting of Ditwah or Do We Always Enjoy Tragedy in Sri Lankan Politics and Media?”
Did the Government and the Media Fail? A Comparative Look at Global and Sri Lankan Disaster Communication
The Ditwah Cyclone in Sri Lanka raises urgent and uncomfortable questions: Why did the government, forewarned by meteorological data and international alerts, fail to act decisively to protect its citizens? Why did the mainstream media and social media networks prioritize emotional spectacle over scientifically grounded guidance, amplifying panic instead of preparing the public? And how can a nation repeatedly exposed to natural hazards reconcile the persistent gap between political inaction, media sensationalism, and the need for evidence-based disaster communication? This article interrogates these failures, using the Ditwah Cyclone as a stark reminder that both governance and journalism must evolve to safeguard lives, respect scientific evidence, and lead the nation toward resilience.
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Rationale
The rationale for exploring this subject in the Sri Lankan context stems from the persistent observation that the media in the country is often driven by private, subjective, or politically motivated interests, rather than being grounded in factual evidence or scientific research. The Ditwah Cyclone provides a clear example of this systemic shortcoming. Both mass media and social media reflected an emotional, sensationalized approach that prioritized attention over accuracy and actionable guidance. Many citizens and commentators criticized the government for failing to anticipate or adequately respond to the disaster, despite timely warnings from international media and scientific agencies. A parallel can be drawn with the Easter Sunday attacks, where clear warnings were known to parliamentarians, yet the government did not take decisive action, resulting in tragic consequences for innocent people.
During the Ditwah event, the government was largely focused on parliamentary debates over the budget and issues such as the drug mafia, while ignoring warnings from the Department of Meteorology and international climate research bodies. This failure demonstrates the urgent need for media oversight in disaster preparedness. The media has a dual role—not only to inform the public but also to act as a watchdog, holding the government accountable and bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and societal action. In this context, media should rely on evidence from local, regional, and global research, including geological, meteorological, and climate studies, to guide both authorities and the public.
However, the Ditwah Cyclone revealed that Sri Lankan media predominantly respond to immediate, emotionally driven news cycles rather than proactively leading society to adopt evidence-based disaster communication practices. The media’s inability to bridge the gap between government inaction, scientific knowledge, and public awareness highlights systemic weaknesses in disaster communication. This article, therefore, emphasizes the need to strengthen the media’s role in disaster situations, ensuring reporting prioritizes public safety, relies on research, and aligns with international standards of disaster journalism.
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Introduction
Natural disasters demand not only swift governmental action but also responsible, accurate, and ethically grounded media communication. In moments of crisis, journalism becomes more than a vehicle for information—it becomes a lifeline that shapes public understanding, stabilizes emotions, and safeguards communities. The Ditwah Cyclone, which swept across Sri Lanka and parts of East and Southeast Asia, revealed stark contrasts in disaster reporting practices. While several international broadcasters, such as ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, and DW News, adhered to ethical norms and contextual accuracy, Sri Lankan media outlets often relied on dramatic visuals, emotionally charged narratives, and commercialized storytelling. This divergence underscores a crucial truth: disaster reporting is never neutral. It either reduces harm or amplifies it.
The Sri Lankan media landscape exemplifies the tension between public service journalism and commercial imperatives. While some outlets provided careful, informative coverage prioritizing safety, others emphasized emotional spectacle and sensationalism. Combined with social media, where citizens and journalists shared unverified images and dramatic commentary, the narrative often prioritized attention over actionable guidance. This paper critically examines how Sri Lankan mass media and social media utilized the Ditwah disaster as a platform for emotional politics and sensational storytelling, often failing to uphold professional and ethical responsibilities. By analyzing these patterns, the article highlights the urgent need for Sri Lankan media institutions to adopt disaster communication practices aligned with global best practices.
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Theoretical Context: Best Practices in Disaster Communication
Disaster communication is a structured field examining how information flows before, during, and after crises, emphasizing accuracy, ethics, and protection of affected communities. Thomas E. Drabek (2013) defines disaster communication as “the structured process of circulating warnings, instructions, and interpretive information to minimize harm and guide coordinated action” (p. 27). In journalism, this responsibility is complex because the media must simultaneously inform the public and mitigate panic, trauma, or political manipulation. Robert S. Littlefield and Timothy L. Sellnow (2015) note that “media are not merely conveyors of facts; they shape the meaning of a disaster through framing and tone” (p. 44). Matthew W. Seeger, Timothy L. Sellnow, and Robert R. Ulmer (2018) emphasize that “the framing adopted by journalists may either support community resilience or intensify fear and confusion” (p. 89).
A persistent concern in disaster reporting is emotional sensationalism. Susan D. Moeller (1999) observes that global media often succumb to “compassion fatigue, sensationalization, and emotional spectacle” (p. 33), prioritizing ratings over responsible communication. Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini (2004) highlight a “market-driven distortion of journalistic norms” (p. 121), where the economic survival of media institutions overshadows public responsibility. Visual ethics are equally crucial. Barbara Allen (2017) notes that “survivors experience a second layer of harm when their suffering is objectified for broadcast” (p. 58). Ethical disaster journalism thus demands careful selection of visuals, avoidance of extreme emotional cues, and prioritization of dignity and safety.
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The Three Phases of Ethical Disaster Journalism
Disaster communication research identifies three critical phases: pre-disaster, during-disaster, and post-disaster. In the pre-disaster phase, media must act as educators and early-warning sentinels. Dennis Mileti and John H. Sorensen (1990) argue that “effective warnings must be timely, accurate, and action-oriented” (p. 17), while Kathleen Fearn-Banks (2016) warns that poor pre-disaster communication escalates the scale of tragedy (p. 59).
During disasters, journalists must prioritize life-saving information. Allan K. McDougall (2012) states that “during the unfolding of a hazard, journalists must prioritize life-saving information ahead of descriptive reporting” (p. 102). Coordinated communication with state agencies is essential to reduce confusion and casualties (Seeger, Sellnow, & Ulmer, 2018, p. 135). Post-disaster, the media supports recovery, provides information on relief services, and ensures accountability. Ulmer, Sellnow, and Seeger (2011) argue that “post-crisis discourse must promote resilience, emotional recovery, and accountability” (p. 148). These three phases form the backbone of best-practice disaster journalism.
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Sri Lankan Media and Social Media: Empirical Observations
Empirical observations of Sri Lankan media during the Ditwah Cyclone reveal a distinct orientation toward emotionally intensified storytelling. Outlets such as Ada Derana used headlines like “නෙතට කඳුලක් එක්කළ නාවලපිටියේ නායයෑම්” to evoke immediate sympathy, often accompanied by dramatic visuals and emotive soundtracks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oimr_ToAqIg). Hiru News relied on rapid, breaking-news updates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4omQKBHGeyA), while Sirasa/News First provided continuous studio-based updates with extensive visuals throughout the day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EV2G7fQXzg). On social media, citizen journalists and the general public circulated real-time images and videos, many of which were unverified and emotionally charged, often amplifying anxiety.
While these practices increased audience engagement, they frequently lacked structured guidance or actionable information, especially in the pre-disaster phase. Emergency preparedness advice was limited, coordination with government disaster agencies was minimal, and post-disaster reporting rarely focused on accountability or long-term resilience. In contrast, international coverage from ABC Australia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGgHIx41-pw) and Al Jazeera (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygu24mf8Ojc) emphasized ethical storytelling, sensitivity, and contextual clarity, illustrating the gap between global standards and local practice.
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International and Regional Media Comparison
Internationally, broadcasters such as ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, and DW News framed the cyclone with structural, contextual, and ethical rigor. Their reporting balanced factual information with empathy, avoided distressing spectacle, and provided actionable insights for affected communities. Indian media coverage varied considerably. India Today (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUYG8gseSEc) provided responsible reporting, focusing on humanitarian assistance and cooperation. In contrast, India Times (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdYw9myNNzE) employed distressing sounds and chaotic visuals, prioritizing drama over ethics. Visual-only formats, like those on NDTV (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quex2eFOn3A) or Times Now (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loHJQjBMjpc), offered interpretive space but limited explanatory guidance. Sri Lankan media’s emphasis on emotional intensity and immediate spectacle, while culturally resonant, contrasts sharply with these measured approaches.
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Discussion
The comparative analysis highlights how institutional culture, commercial pressures, and levels of professionalization shape disaster reporting. International broadcasters adhered to ethical frameworks, ensuring clarity, dignity, and public safety (Seeger, Sellnow, & Ulmer, 2018). Indian media showed a spectrum of practice, from responsible reporting to sensationalism (Hallin & Mancini, 2004; Moeller, 1999). Sri Lankan media consistently prioritized emotional dramatization and immediacy over structured guidance. The lack of pre-disaster communication, the focus on breaking news during the crisis, and limited post-disaster accountability reflect systemic weaknesses. Social media compounded these gaps by spreading unverified, emotionally charged content, blurring the line between citizen reporting and sensationalism.
This uneven performance underscores the urgent need for a professional framework for disaster journalism in Sri Lanka. Global best practices—including early-warning dissemination, ethical storytelling, coordination with authorities, trauma-sensitive post-disaster reporting, and transparent accountability—must guide local media to reduce harm and enhance community resilience. Failure to adopt these measures leaves the country highly vulnerable to future hazards, which are increasingly likely due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and geological instability.
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Conclusion
The Ditwah Cyclone underscores the critical role of media in shaping public understanding, emotional stability, and societal resilience. International media largely adhered to ethical norms, while Sri Lankan outlets prioritized emotional spectacle and commercialized dramatization, amplified by social media. Disaster communication is not merely reporting; it is a moral, civic, and professional responsibility requiring accuracy, restraint, and attention to community well-being. Sri Lankan media—mainstream and social—must adopt a resilience-oriented, ethically grounded approach, integrating global and regional best practices. This shift is essential to strengthen public trust, safeguard human dignity, and ultimately save lives during future crises.
Image from; https://srilankamirror.com/news/two-bodies-found-in-massive-landslide-in-welimada/
