A Study on the Appearance of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake on Social Media

Abstract

This study is aiming to reveal how the earthquake, dated February 6, 2023, with the epicenter of Kahramanmaraş, appears on social media. In the study, content analysis method was used, and a total of 500 images (still images with or without sound) shared with the hashtag "6 February" on İnstagram were examined and how the earthquake was reflected with these contents was tried to be determined. Shared images were classified under certain themes and recorded by counting. Then, the images selected as samples and the obtained numerical data were analyzed and interpreted qualitatively. This analysis enabled us to reveal the meanings and representations produced by the visuals. The results obtained in the study were also compared with the results of similar studies in the literature. As a result of the study, it was seen that the earthquake dated February 6, 2023 was heavily represented on social media with dramatic and manipulative posts.