An analysis of the representation of the crisis management method in Iran in the Noon Khe 2 series

Background: Many TV series are produced to be shown on national TV channels. TV series can represent the current conditions in society or criticize existing problems. The influence of presence and the form of message transmission on television is such that it can attract the audience with all kinds of tricks and methods, and in this way, it is the most influential and effective factor in the transformation of public awareness and identity. On the other hand, due to its geographically vulnerable situation, Iran is one of the countries that has always been involved in losses and casualties caused by natural disasters. However, this issue has only been represented in a few TV series. In this research, the second season of the Noon Khe series, which deals with the representation of the Kermanshah earthquake in 2017, is studied as a case study to investigate the way that the crisis management process is represented in this series. In the fall of 2017, a severe earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale occurred near Azgole and 35 km north of the cities of Sarpol Zahab and Qasr Shirin in Kermanshah province, as a result of which about 600 people lost their lives, about 10,000 were injured, and about 70,000 were displaced. People became homeless. In the second season of the Noon Khe series, the subject of the Kermanshah earthquake is discussed humorously and reflects the problems that arise for the earthquake victims. In this research, by placing the subject of the second season of the Noon Khe series, the researcher relies on the themes and elements related to the crisis management process.
Objectives: The main question of this research is how the crisis management process is depicted in the second season of the Noon Khe series. The purpose of this article is to investigate the representation of the steps and process of post-earthquake crisis management and its critical view in the Nun Khe 2 series.
Method: The research employs a descriptive research method along with content analysis. The data analysis is qualitative in nature. Data collection is conducted through archival methods and film analysis tools. In this study, every scene from the series was observed and analyzed. Visual signs were extracted, and information was gathered accordingly.
Result: Crisis management consists of three main phases: before the disaster (which involves prevention and preparedness), during the disaster (which focuses on coping with the crisis), and after the disaster (which includes rescue and relief efforts, temporary shelter, temporary accommodation, and rehabilitation). Analyzing the Noon Khe 2 series in the context of the crisis management cycle reveals that this series primarily emphasizes themes related to the aftermath of the earthquake, particularly concerning temporary accommodation.
Conclusion: The series highlights the challenges faced by earthquake victims, including temporary housing, mental and psychological issues, health problems, the spread of infectious diseases, and, importantly, the unfulfilled promises of officials. To convey these issues effectively, the series employs humorous language and intertwines a main storyline with sub-stories to engage the audience. In the end, it is suggested that considering the huge capacity of television series to represent the situation and convey concepts to the general audience, as well as considering Iran's vulnerability to crises caused by various natural and human disasters, more series should be made with the subject of natural and human disasters. Also, the representation, criticism, and analysis of various measures related to the crisis management cycle, along with the use of educational points in the form of monologue or dialogue (such as what was shown in the second season of the Noon Khe series), can lead to an increase in public awareness regarding this issue. In addition, since a large part of the officials of the country are also viewers of television programs, criticizing the managerial-executive performance in the form of making series based on reality, humor, or fictional stories based on the planned topics, can lead to the improvement of their performance in future crises.