6 - Covering disasters - Joseph Galbraith

Joseph Galbraith

Lesson 6 Reading Summary

Reference: Hernandez., D. (1994). Covering disasters. Editor & Publisher, 127(41), 13.

Theme: A solid relationship between disaster mitigation agencies and the media should be maintained in order to prepare the community for a disaster.

Summary:

• Disasters are increasing in frequency. From 1963-1967 there were 16 disasters that killed 100 or more people.  From 1988-1992 there were 66 disasters that killed 100 or more people.

• Disaster mitigation professionals, scientists and the media must work to strengthen relations to provide quick and adequate information to the public.

• This information can empower the public to take action to increase their chances of survival.

• Although the media is the primary means of information dissemination, alternate means should be considered.

Information, and too often perform poorly on camera or in interviews.

• Opportunities should be taken to provide training to media representatives on disaster response, recovery and safety.

• Media representatives may find that if they work with disaster mitigation personnel, the quality and accuracy of reporting will be much better.

Application to the lesson topic:

This article identifies some great tips on how to strengthen relationships with the media. Mutual respect must be gained first and then these other tips can be worked on together.  If we show the media the benefits of this professional relationship they may be more willing to participate.

Application to emergency services:

Emergency Services PIO's can use these techniques to form good relations with media.  The PIO can also train all responders on how to deal with media representatives.

The economics of Media vs Emergency Services

John Scardena

Reference:

Mosseau, M. (2002). Market Civilization and It's Clash with Terror. International Security, Vol. 27 No.3, pg. 5-29. 

Theme:

Economics play a major role in the fight against terrorism, this also applies to for profit entities and how they financially wage war against while non profit or government fight this war.

Summary:

-Markets work against terror indvidulism

-Finanncing terrorism post 9/11 is incredibly difficult

-Fighting terrorism is not cost effective but money gains from paying attention to it is a multi-billion industry

-The world is connected by a market economy

-The world is paying attention to what is going on around them, they are paying for the abiltity to have their eyes and ears connected to what is going on around them.

-Homeland security and other military groups are spending money to advertise their call to arms.

Application to Lesson Topic:

In researching this week's lesson I found that the arguments for and against the press being involved with emergency response came down to money. Does the fact that media is for profit make the media not trust worthy? Or is it a side bar to the fact that they are the ones getting the message out there? The reason I choose this paper is the fact that we need the media to let us know what is going on around us. We "need" it so much that mass media is making billions telling us their opinions about the World around us. We need them just as they need us.

Application to Emergency Services:

            Emergency services need to do a gut self check. The fact that any emergency service can spread their message so fast because of mass media and social media should be more giving it. If we work with media and not against or hiding from them, we will discover that if they are on our side, we will accomplish our goals of helping people and spreading the voice of warning or assurance.