The role of media and journalism in volcanic risk reduction: insights from the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are the only region in the Spanish national territory exposed to volcanic risk, as evidenced by the 18 historical eruptions occurred during the last 600 years and the hundreds of Holocene eruptions. The recent Tajogaite eruption at Cumbre Vieja volcano (La Palma, Canary Islands) must represent a turning point in the volcanic risk management in the Canary Islands, despite the progress achieved over the past 25 years toward reducing volcanic risk in the archipelago.

This new direction should be developed through a Canary Strategy for Volcanic Risk Reduction; an operational framework designed to address and respond to the challenges that the Canary Islands face as a consequence of volcanic risk. Such a strategy should act as a driving and coordinating mechanism among the various sectoral policies, while also fostering awareness and engagement among citizens, businesses, and public administrations.

We present the results of a workshop designed for media professionals and journalists, who conducted a SWOT analysis of their sector with the aim of contributing to volcanic risk reduction in the Canary Islands. A total of 25 communication professionals (from television, radio, print media, and other outlets) from across all the islands participated in this exercise.

The results reveal a solid set of strengths, including the increasing experience of journalists in covering volcanic emergencies, the widespread availability of technological tools that enable rapid and far‑reaching communication, and enhanced coordination with institutional communication offices during crises. The media’s ability to translate complex scientific information into accessible language, counter misinformation, build public trust, and monitor compliance with public commitments also emerges as a key asset.

However, the internal analysis also highlights several significant structural weaknesses, including limited specialised training in volcanology and risk management, the absence of internal verification and coordination protocols during emergencies, and insufficient human and material resources. These weaknesses are further exacerbated by an increasing reliance on sensationalist or clickbait‑oriented approaches. Additional challenges include inadequate media familiarity with emergency plans and volcanic risk management tools, as well as information fragmentation associated with the archipelago’s double insularity.

In the external analysis, the principal threats are linked to the proliferation of fake news, information overload, the absence of scientific consensus during crises, tensions between the media and authorities, and the influence of political and economic interests. Conversely, several relevant opportunities emerge, including the development of communication policies grounded in transparency, direct access to the scientific community, the existence of specific regulatory frameworks, specialised training programmes for journalists, and the responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

The workshop highlighted the crucial role of journalists as intermediaries between scientific institutions, emergency authorities, and the general public. Participants recognized that communicating about volcanoes in the Canary Islands is not only a matter of scientific accuracy but also of cultural understanding, memory, and community care. Their active engagement underscored the potential of communication to contribute meaningfully to risk reduction, particularly by fostering trust, promoting early‑warning culture, and encouraging responsible behaviour during volcanic crises.