Submit a Manuscript to the Journal
Journalism Practice
For a Special Issue on
Weather journalism and disaster information practices
Abstract deadline
Manuscript deadline
Special Issue Editor(s)
Mildred F. "Mimi" Perreault,
Assistant Professor, Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications, University of Southern Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
[email protected]
Christoph Mergerson,
Assistant Professor, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
[email protected]
Rosalind Donald,
Assistant Professor, School of Communication, American University, Washington, DC, USA
[email protected]
Manuel Chavez,
Professor, School of Journalism, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
[email protected]
Weather journalism and disaster information practices
Weather Journalism and Disaster Information Practices have become increasingly vital in an era marked by climate change; extreme weather events; sensationalism, misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories about weather and climate; and evolving media landscapes. This special issue seeks to explore the intersections of journalism, meteorology, disaster and crisis communication, focusing on how journalists and broadcast and digital meteorologists report, interpret, and disseminate information during weather-related crises.
Journalists play a critical role in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery (Perreault, 2021). Meteorologists may also play an important role in influencing political knowledge about topics related to weather and climate (Morales, 2021; Gelles, 2024). Their work informs the public, holds institutions accountable, and fosters community resilience (Veil, 2012). Their status as a trusted fixture of local life means that when they talk about climate change, it becomes part of a community ritual of meaning making (Donald 2020).
Yet, weather journalism faces unique challenges: translating complex scientific data; navigating misinformation and disinformation, conspiracy theories, and hostility towards reporting on climate; and reporting under extreme conditions. The rise of artificial intelligence in weather prediction, data journalism, and social media further complicates and enriches this landscape.
This issue invites contributions that examine the practices, ethics, and innovations shaping weather and disaster journalism. We welcome interdisciplinary approaches that draw from
communication studies, journalism, meteorology, science and technology studies, public relations, and emergency management. Topics may include newsroom preparedness, journalist safety and well-being, equity in disaster coverage, influence of information about weather and climate on political knowledge, how meteorologists navigate their roles in a challenging media landscape and political environment, sourcing, and the role of local media in community recovery.
By bringing together global perspectives and case studies, this issue aims to advance scholarly understanding and practical insights into how journalism can better serve communities before, during, and after weather disasters. It will also highlight the evolving role of journalists as both informers and collaborators in disaster communication ecosystems.
Potential Topics for Inclusion:
- Climate change and the evolution of weather journalism
- Disaster reporting ethics and trauma-informed journalism
- The role of local newsrooms in hurricane and flood coverage
- AI and automation in weather reporting and broadcast and digital meteorology
- Misinformation, disinformation and rumor control during disasters
- Critical approaches and training of equity and representation in weather and disaster coverage
- Social media’s role in real-time weather and disaster communication
- Data journalism and visualizing weather impacts
- Journalists’ wellbeing and mental health in the context of weather and disaster coverage
- Early warning systems and media collaboration with meteorologists and emergency managers
- Coverage of slow-onset disasters (e.g., droughts and chronic heat)
- Citizen journalism and participatory disaster reporting
- Media accountability and ethical standards in disaster response and weather coverage
- The role of public broadcasters and/or disaster coverage in underserved and rural areas
- Disaster histories, archives, and narratives
- Cross-cultural comparisons and community storytelling e.g. post-disaster
- Theoretical innovations in weather, climate, and disaster journalism
- Technology networks, from satellites to radio, and technology use during and after disasters
Submission Instructions
The editors invite researchers to submit their original research articles, case studies, empirical research, and theoretical contributions. This special issue welcomes a variety of methodological and theoretical approaches to examine the role of weather information in journalism and media practices, spanning different levels of analysis. We strongly encourage cross-disciplinary perspectives.
This is a call for extended abstracts (500-750 words), accompanied by a 100-150-word bio (for each author) introducing your relevant expertise. Abstracts should be sent no later than April 5, 2026 to Mimi Perreault, [email protected]
Upon being selected, scholars will receive invitations to submit full papers. All submissions for this special issue must adhere to the guidelines of the Journalism Practice Journal. Submissions will be subject to the complete blind peer-review procedure in line with the practices of Journalism Practice. Articles should aim for a maximum length of 9,000 words, inclusive of references. Manuscripts are to be submitted through the journal's online submission system. Authors should specify their desire to have their manuscript considered for this Special Issue.
For detailed author guidelines and submission instructions, please visit the Journalism Practice Journal website.
For inquiries, please contact the guest editors at [email protected]
We look forward to receiving your contributions and exploring the dynamic intersection of weather related information and journalism.