Polarization from Kentucky Storms
Severe tornado damage occurred for nearly 10 days across 8 southern US states leaving hundreds of homes destroyed and many families displaced. The media is still collecting information due to the disaster’s recentness so media outlets have limited news on the evolving situations. CNN’s Brandon Miller, Judson Jones, and Ralph Ellis wrote an update on the storm’s consequences in the article, This was the deadliest 24 hours in December for tornadoes on record. Here's what else we know about the storms. TownHall’s Matt Vespa wrote a more analytical piece on the aftermath in his article, How Liberal America Reacted to the Devastating Tornadoes That Ripped Through Kentucky.
From the Titles of these pieces alone, readers are shown two completely different reports on the same situation. While CNN suggests a more alarmist and shocking report, TownHall immediately portrays a more politically based attack on liberals.
CNN reports the growing death toll accompanied by very alarming photos of the storm’s destruction. They also continuously make reference to the storm’s uniqueness as it is the “most devastating” disaster since the 1950s. The report contains various statistics to back up the storm’s record-breaking destruction. With a primary number-based report, CNN focuses on the objectives of the storm’s results with the intention of warning readers for future storms and instilling a sense of sadness at this one’s devastation.
TownHall’s piece begins with a short summary of the storm’s timeline and a picture of an American flag among destroyed land. There is then a list of tweets sent out by various individuals. Liberal tweets are depicted as unsympathetic to the devastation and focused on blaming legislation for not doing more in the fight against climate change. These tweets are highlighted as cold and uncaring with the explanation that democrats do not care about the southern republican populous’s wellbeing. Democrats are described as “hating” the south and “condescending”. This piece intends to create anger in its readers which ultimately will further polarize each side against their opposing views.
Analysis by Matt Vespa, Townhall
Report by Brandon Miller, Judson Jones, and Ralph Ellis , CNN