Comparative analysis of media coverage of the Tous dam disaster

This article examines how Spanish newspapers covered the Tous dam disaster, which occurred in Valencia in 1982 after extreme rainfall caused the dam to collapse. It analyses 1,575 items from national and regional newspapers to compare how the disaster was framed in the media. The study focuses on five frames: human interest, economic consequences, attribution of responsibility, conflict and morality. 

The key takeaway is that media coverage initially focused mainly on the human impact of the disaster, especially victims, suffering and personal experiences. Over time, coverage increasingly shifted towards political and institutional responsibility, reflecting wider public debate about disaster management. The article highlights how media framing shapes public understanding of disasters, including who is seen as affected, responsible and accountable.