L’utilisation politique de la catastrophe dans les médias : Chili, 1906-2010

Abstract

This article analyzes how catastrophes were used by Chilean authorities—State, political, economic and religious—in order to build an identity reference for the country and its inhabitants, in the image of what is proposed by their élites. In fact, the Chilean soil is crossed by several tectonic plates that cause catastrophes of great impact. The élites have endowed these events with a particular significance that, in addition to strengthening their power, has spread the idea that all Chileans are victims of Nature’s indomitable effects. Based on the thorough research of press articles written between 1906 and 2010, this article shows how the media’s treatment of earthquakes has been part of the liberal project sought by the political and economic élite.

Keywords

• disaster
• press
• identity