6 - Journalists and Emergency Managers Discuss Disaster Response - Ray Huntzinger

Journalists and Emergency Managers Discuss Disaster Response

By Ray Huntzinger



Reference:

Veil, S. R. (2012, August). Journalists and emergency managers discuss
disaster response. Communication Currents. Retrieved on October 18,
2013, from http://www.natcom.org/CommCurrentsArticle.aspx?id=2645

Theme:

The theme of the article described the different roles, beliefs,
misconceptions, and responsibilities of journalists and emergency
managers discovered during a media relations conference involving both
journalists and emergency managers; ultimately suggesting that
information to the public is more timely and accurate when journalists
and emergency managers know each other personally and know each
other's job responsibilities.

Summary:

--When emergency managers and journalists work effectively together
during disasters, it has been proven that lives can be saved.

--Although a strong relationship between the media and emergency
managers has proven to be beneficial, it is common for journalists and
emergency managers not to trust each other. Often the media feels that
emergency managers obstruct information and emergency managers feel
that the media are only after the sensational story.

--Journalists often mistrust emergency managers because they feel they
report to elected officials; whereas emergency managers feel that the
media overlooks facts in order sensationalize issues.

--Journalists and emergency mangers often have unreal expectations of
each other; journalists expect immediate information regardless of
department staffing and emergency managers expect the media to work on
the timetable of the emergency manager.

--The group found that the lack of trust and understanding between
journalists and emergency managers was not usually based on personal
experience, but more often the result of each group's perceptions of
media structures and large government.



Application to the lesson topic:

The article emphasizes the importance of good relationships between
the media and emergency managers. As was encouraged in the lesson, the
article encourages emergency managers and journalists to build
personal relationships and get to know the job responsibilities of
each other. These factors will ultimately allow more timely and
accurate information to be dispersed to citizens before, during, and
after an emergency.



Application to emergency services:

The article is very helpful in emphasizing the importance of the media
during disasters. In addition, the article describes many
misconceptions that journalists and emergency personnel have about
each other; thereby, offering real answers and solutions on how the
media/emergency manager relationship can be improved. Ultimately,
strong relationships between the media and emergency managers will
enhance the flow of timely and accurate information during disasters.