Public Attitudes Towards Omani Media Coverage of “Gono” Cyclone Crisis

Abstract

This survey study aimed at investigating the relationship between Omani media management of the 2007 Gono cyclone crisis and people’s behavioral responses and their attitudes towards media performance. The study was founded on the general principles of the Situational Crisis Communication theory and Stakeholders theory. A convenient sample of 140 affected individuals from three different places in Oman participated in this study. The results indicated that 96% of the informants followed Omani media warnings about the cyclone. The results also showed a positive correlation between respondents’ belief that the media have provided them with swift and transparent messages and addressed their interests and emotional concerns on one hand, and adopting positive behavioral responses, on the other hand. Overall, respondents were satisfied with Omani media performance during the different stages of the cyclone crisis.

Keywords

• Communication Attitudes, Omani Media, Gono Cyclone