Audience orientations to local radio coverage of a natural disaster

This study explored audience orientations to local radio coverage of the April 1997 Red River Valley floods. Findings were consistent with the system maintenance view of mass communication in that respondents saw local officials, local radio, and citizens cooperating in an interdependent and mutually supportive relationship. Respondents expressed appreciation for the local mass medium that was the most active and visible during the crisis: an award‐winning AM radio station, KFGO‐AM, Fargo.