Cassandra Chapman, The University of Queensland

In late 2019 and early 2020, a series of devastating wildfires, known as the “black summer” bushfire disaster, left Australia reeling: More than 20% of the country’s forests burned.

As a scholar of the psychology of charitable giving, I have long been interested in the unique emotional response that disasters evoke – often generating an urgent and visceral wish to help.

I wanted to understand how and why people respond to a crisis of this magnitude. For the project, I teamed up with three Australian environmental psychology and collective action experts: Matthew Hornsey, Kelly Fielding and Robyn Gulliver.

We found that international media coverage of disasters can help increase donations. Our findings, which were published in the peer-reviewed academic journal Disasters in 2022, are relevant to the situation in Los Angeles, where severe fires destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in January 2025, devastating many communities.

That recovery could take years.

5 key factors affect generosity

All told, Australian donors gave more than US$397 million, or $640 million in Australian dollars, to support the recovery from the black summer bushfire disaster. The international community also rallied: U.S. and U.K. donors contributed an additional US$2.6 million. These donations were used to fund evacuation centers, support groups for victims, and cash grants for repairs and rebuilding, among other things.

When we surveyed 949 Australians about what influenced their donations and analyzed news articles about the disaster, we found that coverage of disasters significantly increased generosity and influenced which charities drew donations. This may be because news articles communicated directly the need for charitable support.

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Using this survey data, we identified key factors that influenced how much money, if any, people donated in response to the bushfire disaster appeals. These five were linked with the amounts Australians donated:

• Scale: The sheer scale of the fires.

• Personal impact: Having been personally affected, knowing people who have been affected, or being worried that they will be affected in the future.

• Climate change beliefs: Believing that climate change is impacting the environment.

• News footage: The dramatic footage of the fires they have seen.

• Stories: The stories of those who have been affected.

Three of these factors – scale, news footage and stories – relate to information people were exposed to in media coverage of the disaster. Further, when we asked people how they chose which charities to support, they said that media coverage was more influential than either their friends and family or direct communication from those same charities.

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These findings collectively show how media coverage can powerfully influence both how much people give to disaster relief and which nonprofits they choose to support.

Setting the agenda

In the next phase of our research, we tried to learn how media coverage affects the public’s generosity.

We downloaded every news article we could find about the disaster over the three-month period that fires raged and analyzed the text of 30,239 news articles using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software.

We looked at which kinds of language and concepts were being used in media coverage, and how frequently they were used compared with their use in everyday written language.

In addition to concepts we expected to see, like emergency, heroes and human loss, we found that the concepts of support and money frequently showed up in coverage. Words like “donations,” “help” and “support” occurred in 74% of news articles. Words having to do with money were even more common: They appeared almost twice as often as they do in ordinary written language.

Our findings suggest that news coverage may have helped to set the agenda for the huge charitable response to Australia’s wildfire disaster because the media told people what they should be thinking about in terms of that disaster. In Australia’s case, it was how they could help.

A consideration for the media

We also believe that it’s likely that news coverage of disasters like this one can serve an agenda-setting function by teaching the public how to think about the crisis.

To the extent that news coverage highlights concepts like support, possibly communicating that donating is a normal response to a crisis, it’s reasonable to expect people to donate more money.

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Given that news coverage can influence how much someone donates, as well as which charities they choose to support, nonprofits responding to the Los Angeles fires may wish to encourage media outlets to mention their work in news coverage.

It is likely that being featured in news coverage – especially when calls to action or opportunities to donate are incorporated in an article – would result in more funds being raised for the charity’s response to the disaster.

Cassandra Chapman, Associate Professor, The University of Queensland

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Great news for the residents of south-central Phoenix! As of November, 2024, Valley Metro has officially begun testing trains on the highly anticipated South Central Extension of the light rail. This new 5.5-mile route is set to enhance access to public transportation, connecting downtown Phoenix all the way to Baseline Road—bringing convenience and mobility to more neighborhoods than ever before!

Connecting Communities

The South Central Extension is more than just a transportation project; it’s a lifeline for connecting communities within Phoenix. By bridging the gap between downtown and southern areas of the city, Valley Metro aims to provide a seamless travel experience for commuters, students, and visitors alike. With access points along Washington and Jefferson streets, as well as 1st, 3rd, and Central avenues, this expansion is set to make daily commuting smoother and more efficient.

Safety First!

As trains start to roll out during this initial testing phase, safety remains a top priority. Valley Metro has issued important safety tips for both pedestrians and motorists to ensure everyone stays safe throughout the process:

1. Follow Traffic Signals: Always obey traffic signals and make use of designated crosswalks when crossing streets near the light rail.
2. Stay Alert: Listen for warning signals and train sounds. Light rail trains can approach quickly and quietly, so being attentive is crucial.
3. Keep Off the Tracks: Remember, light rail trains are designed to be silent, making it easy to overlook them. Avoid standing on or near the tracks—stay safe and keep a respectful distance.
4. Platform Access: Please refrain from entering the new station platforms during this testing phase as they are currently closed. Your safety and the safety of our testing crews is paramount.

Get Ready for 2025!

As testing ramps up towards the projected opening in mid-2025, excitement is building across the city. Whether you commute for work, school, or leisure, the South Central Extension promises to provide more accessible and efficient public transportation options. It’s a step forward in creating a more connected and vibrant Phoenix!

Stay tuned for updates from Valley Metro regarding the progress of the South Central Extension, and let’s celebrate the strides we’re taking towards a more connected, sustainable future. Phoenix, your public transport experience is about to get a whole lot better! 🚆✨

Related articles:

https://www.valleymetro.org/project/south-central-extension-downtown-hub

https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/valley-metro-testing-trains-new-expansion-into-south-phoenix/75-e832f4b8-bb44-4942-9cd9-b4604a7bd403

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PHOENIX — In an exciting initiative to celebrate the upcoming opening of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail project, Valley Metro is calling on local artists to showcase their creativity by designing a commemorative poster. This significant 5.5-mile extension will connect south Phoenix to the Valley’s ever-evolving light rail system, running from Central Avenue to Baseline Road, and is set to enhance public transportation accessibility for residents, expected to launch later this year.

The South Central Extension will add eight new stations and two park-and-ride facilities, making public transit a more viable option for thousands of commuters in metro Phoenix. Valley Metro hopes to highlight this development not only as a means of transportation but also as a bridge strengthening community ties. To achieve this vision, the public transportation authority is particularly interested in artwork that reflects the culture and heritage of south Central and downtown Phoenix.

Artists aged 18 and over can apply through the Articipant platform, a vibrant community dedicated to Arizona artists. It’s important to note that while artists can submit their applications on Articipant, they are not required to submit proposals at this stage. Interested artists have until 5 p.m. on January 24 to submit their applications, so time is of the essence!

The selected winning artwork is envisioned to encapsulate the spirit of the South Central Extension and its significance to the community it serves. Additionally, the project will feature public art installations throughout the new transit hub, further enriching the urban landscape of downtown Phoenix.

This is more than just a poster; it’s a chance for artists to contribute to a momentous occasion in Phoenix’s public transportation narrative. By centering local talent and community heritage, Valley Metro is creating a meaningful connection between art and accessibility—cementing the role of the light rail as a vital resource for the neighborhoods it serves.

Artists looking to apply must be at least 18 years old and a registered Articipant with Artlink Inc. Signing up to be an Articipant is free. With the support of Artlink Inc., artists should submit their applications through the Artlink website. Artists must submit their qualifications, not proposals. Applicants must also demonstrate a connection to the South Central and/or Downtown Phoenix communities. This call for artists closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2025.

For more information about this call for artists and the Valley Metro Artsline program visit valleymetro.org/artsline.

For more Valley Metro information, visit:

https://www.valleymetro.org/news/2025/01/valley-metro-seeks-artist-for-south-central-extension-downtown-hub-light-rail-opening

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STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.

https://stmdailynews.com/