Disaster and Crisis Coverage - International News Safety Institute

Disaster and Crisis Coverage
Equip journalists who do not have their own gear with inexpensive Flip-type
cameras and make sure they know how to use them.
Keep a copy of archives and critical files (news, advertising and financial) off-site.
Save graphics, maps and other essential data to disk or portable hard drive and
store them off site.
If possible, have a back-up power system or generator with enough capacity to
keep key newsroom systems running in case of a blackout.
Have redundant communication systems. Land-line telephones may not work;
mobile phone circuits may be overloaded. Text messages may get through when
calls do not. Make sure not all mobile phones use the same service provider, in
case of an outage. Maintain a two-way paging system, if possible, to use as a
back-up. A satellite phone can be a life-saver.
Load newsroom software in two off-site computers at two different locations.
Designate staffers’ homes or other facilities as makeshift newsrooms in case
power outages are widespread. Contact a local University or college to see if
they have a computer lab the news organization can use if disaster strikes.
Work out an arrangement in advance to use the facilities of another newspaper
for publication or another broadcast station to distribute TV or radio signals in
case of emergency.
Discuss in advance the possibility of combining resources with competing news
organizations to cover news conferences or other planned events in the
aftermath of a disaster.
Prepare to use social media, such as Facebook or Twitter, and mobile
messaging to share news and information during a disaster, even if the main
news outlet is unable to publish or broadcast.
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