Disaster and Crisis Coverage - International News Safety Institute

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Introduction A disaster, by one definition, is “a critical event that alters the regular order of things.” For journalists, a disaster is the kind of breaking news story that merits extensive coverage. Most disasters can’t be accurately predicted but they can be anticipated. By planning ahead, news organizations and individual journalists can provide their communities with better, more thorough coverage. Veteran journalist and consultant Michael Marcotte says a news organization plays four key roles during a crisis. It’s a vital information resource, telling what is happening where, who is affected, how things are changing, and why. It’s a communication lifeline, saving lives by relaying critical information to and from affected parties. It’s an early warning beacon, transmitting timely, reliable information that prevents harm. And it’s a community forum, giving citizens a way to come together, share concerns and support one another during difficult times. International Center for Journalists 8
Disaster and Crisis Coverage Recognizing the news organization’s responsibilities in all of these areas can help journalists and managers prepare to meet them head on. The International Center for Journalists has provided journalists with intensive training on how to prepare for disasters. One Venezuelan participant in a 2008 workshop said it made all the difference for his newsroom during severe flooding in Caracas the following year. While the city was paralyzed, his newspaper had a plan for dealing with the lack of power and transportation, and had anticipated equipment needs, staffing issues and so forth. This online guidebook, written for ICFJ by Deborah Potter of NewsLab (http:// newslab.org) and Sherry Ricchiardi on behalf of the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma(http://dartcenter.org) is designed to help journalists everywhere prepare for future disaster coverage. It may not be possible to project exactly what might happen, much less when or where, but there is no doubt that every newsroom will have to cover a crisis of some description. Taking time in advance to prepare for the inevitable will be well worth the investment. The guidebook was produced thanks to the McCormick Foundation and as a result of a week-long training program for Latin American and U.S. Hispanic journalists. 9
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: Disaster and Crisis Coverage 4 Natu
Page 11 and 12: Disaster and Crisis Coverage Also,
Page 13 and 14: Disaster and Crisis Coverage Organi
Page 15 and 16: Disaster and Crisis Coverage Prepar
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
Page 50 and 51: ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Do
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
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Notes International Center for Jour
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1616 H Street, 3rd Floor Washington
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