Disaster and Crisis Coverage - International News Safety Institute

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How to develop a disaster plan If the newsroom doesn’t already have a disaster plan, here is a step-by-step guide to creating one. Even if a plan exists, this how-to guide may suggest the need to revise it. Put a group to work The group should include people from across the news organization, not just from the newsroom but also from production/engineering and facilities. The goal is to develop a comprehensive plan for the entire news organization. The Newspaper Association Managers has an online disaster checklist for newspapers that can serve as a useful guide. (http://www.nammanagers.com/ NAMERS%20Sharing%20Information/Disaster%20Checklist/Disaster %20Checklist.pdf) International Center for Journalists 12
Disaster and Crisis Coverage Organize contact information Make sure the staff list is complete and current, both on computer and hard-copy. The list should note exactly where people live (a map can be helpful). Also include other critical information (has a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, is trained in first aid, is an amateur radio operator, etc.) Collect contact information for emergency response officials, major public institutions (including schools) and independent experts on disaster-related topics. Be sure to include both land lines and cell phones. Consider creating a laminated card with key names and numbers for all staff members to keep with them at all times. This blank list may provide a useful template: http://www.rtnda.org/media/pdfs/education/fellowships/rias/crisis.pdf. Build relationships Connect with sources who can provide essential information during a disaster: emergency preparedness and law enforcement officials, military leaders, hospital workers, subject experts and relief organizations. (For a searchable list of international relief groups, see: http://www.alertnet.org/thepeople/ whowhatwhere.htm.) Showing interest now, well in advance of any incident, will build relationships that can pay off when disaster strikes. Officials are more likely to grant access to disaster areas and return phone calls if they already know the journalists they are dealing with. Map the community Get up-to-date local maps to keep in the newsroom. In a crisis, having a few extra pocket maps can save a lot of time and effort. Don’t depend exclusively on GPS technology to help staffers get around; it could fail in a major emergency. Know the exact locations of potential terrorist targets, including government and military buildings and places where large groups gather. Map all hospitals and emergency clinics. Obtain maps and schematics of government buildings, transportation hubs, and any locations where hazardous materials are used. Survey likely scenarios Look back at disasters that have happened in the past to see what sort of damage was caused and how authorities and the newsroom responded. Collect background information and links to online databases and make it easily accessible to everyone in the newsroom. Ask experts to help assess the likelihood of future disasters. [link to “Preview of Destruction”] Meet with local disaster response officials to learn more about their plans for dealing with emergencies. If possible, participate in mock exercises. Educate the staff Consider sending reporters and editors to seminars to help them understand potential threats and scenarios, or bring experts into the newsroom to conduct lunch-time discussions on topics such as: 13
Page 1 and 2: Disaster and Crisis Coverage By Deb
Page 3 and 4: About the Authors Deborah Potter De
Page 5 and 6: About the International Center for
Page 7 and 8: Disaster and Crisis Coverage 4 Natu
Page 9 and 10: Disaster and Crisis Coverage Recogn
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Page 18 and 19: vulnerable to longer-term droughts,
Page 20 and 21: Newsroom start-up guide It’s amaz
Page 22 and 23: Newsroom back-up planning When a di
Page 24 and 25: Personal preparation A crisis, by d
Page 26 and 27: a hurricane, journalists should ens
Page 28 and 29: Information gathering Who will work
Page 30 and 31: Reporting a crisis Stay calm. Be cl
Page 32 and 33: ✦ Intelligence/national response:
Page 34 and 35: www.journalistsatrisk.org/safety_ti
Page 36 and 37: set up a blog “to preserve the st
Page 38 and 39: Journalism and trauma Introduction
Page 40 and 41: What is traumatic stress? A terribl
Page 42 and 43: ✦ Irritability ✦ Sleeplessness
Page 44 and 45: According to the American Psychiatr
Page 46 and 47: Tips for Dealing with Victims and S
Page 48 and 49: ✦ Respect the person’s efforts
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Page 52 and 53: Coaching through crisis News manage
Page 54 and 55: Case Study: Editor reaches out Afte
Page 56 and 57: ✦ If distress continues past thre
Page 58 and 59: Notes International Center for Jour
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