Quantitative analysis of actors' mention in press coverage of a seismo-volcanic activity in the French overseas

Abstract. Media, especially the press, play a crucial role in shaping public understanding and representations during risk and crisis management, acting as intermediaries between various actors and the public. However, their framing of sources can introduce biases into representations. Limited analysis exists regarding how press coverage portrays relationships between crisis and risk management actors. Using Social Network Analysis, we map quotation networks in press coverage of a seismo-volcanic crisis in Mayotte, a French overseas department allowing us to: i) have an overview of the relationships between actors; ii) highlight unique aspects related to the context and media portrayal; iii) display underlying representations and levels of trust among interviewed actors and iv) visualises networks’ dynamics over time. Analysis revealed variations in narrative approaches among newspapers, with some focusing on specific aspects. General results show that national authorities received more attention than local elected representatives, and scientific figures dominated reported speeches, while the population's perspective remained relatively passive despite their centrality to the quotation network. Identified individuals held significant positions, emphasising the importance of personal connection in communication and revealing a potential distrust toward political and scientific institutions. This underscores the need for proximity between sources and the community.