5 - Role of Mass Media in the Disaster Preparedness and Sustainable Development of Society - Chris Schippers

Chris Schippers

Reference:

Seid-Aliyeva, D. E. (2006). Role of Mass Media in the Disaster Preparedness and Sustainable Development of Society. AIP Conference Proceedings, 825(1), 79-83. doi:10.1063/1.2190733 Retrieved from http://ezproxy.uvu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=20279620&site=ehost-live on October 22, 2013.

Theme:

With a better understanding of cause and effect of large earthquakes, the mitigation of damage and loss of lives is improved and more effective.  The media relations are vital in preparing and educating hazard-prone regions and assisting in the effort of understanding cause and effect.

Summary:

·         A conflict between nature and people in hazard-prone regions exist and are known as Natural Disasters.

·         Hurricane Katrina shows us that even the most prepared countries can't hide from large natural destructive events.

·         Sometimes nature warns us, sometimes it doesn't warn us at all or soon enough.

·         Greater understanding of the causes and effects of an earthquake may be able to reduce damage and save lives.

·         Hurricanes, tornados provide warning time, however, earthquakes do not.

·         One of the most important attributes of prevention and reduction of disaster's repercussions is mass media through educating the population living with risk.

·         Information management is a significant link in the chain of disaster prevention measures.

·         After the disaster happens, any information about it must be thoroughly examined before presenting to the audience.

·         The information agencies should inform the population not only on the numbers of victims and damages, but also should prepare the population to correct response on the event and bring up the adaptive capabilities during emergency situations.

·         The media relations should be a method of relating regular interpretations of the disastrous events.

·         Mass media's activity in disaster preparedness is one of the most important measures of disaster prevention in many countries of the world.

·         There is a Methodology related to mass media activity in disaster preparedness and a questionnaire was developed including 13 questions.

·         Provides an example of the Caspian Earthquake of November 25, 2000.

·         Explains there lack of education and preparedness and the results of these limitations.

·         Well-informed and educated population is a guarantor of healthy society and sustainable development in the country.

Application to the Lesson Topic:

This article demonstrates the vital link of which media relations play a role in preparing and educating the public and populations living in disaster-prone areas.  By keeping good media relations with the public through educating them and preparing them for what could happen in the event of a disaster, builds a relationship of trust with the community and would further decrease the seriousness of the aftermath of the disaster, ultimately saving more lives and protecting property.

Application to Emergency Services:

Just like gaining the confidence of your patient you are caring for, it is extremely important for media relations to be at the top of their game and build the same mutual confidence with the community it serves.