The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), which aims to “raise the standards of journalism,” has just published a comprehensive guide for journalists called “Disaster and Crisis Coverage.” It offers detailed advice that you could apply to H1N1 or any other crisis.
The guide starts off with a reminder of journalism’s importance during a disaster:
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.
It then explains step-by-step how to prepare your newsroom for reporting on disasters. It outlines backup plans in case your newsroom itself is compromised by the crisis. It covers ways to maximize the security of your staff. And it offers editorial advice on tone and story angles.
The guide devotes its entire second half to trauma. It explores “[h]ow journalists interact with victims, survivors and eyewitnesses of tragedy” and “[h]ow they cope with the emotional impact of trauma on their own psyches.” This, it feels, is critical to improving disaster reporting.
One of the toughest decisions for journalists is how to cover victims, survivors, and eyewitnesses to catastrophic events. [...] How do we balance truth telling with minimizing harm to vulnerable people?
In one powerful example, the guide describes a photojournalist’s dilemma during Hurricane Katrina of whether to photograph some victims before trying to help them.
In addition to providing its own advice, the guide links to a variety of other online tips about crisis reporting. If you’re a reporter or in charge of a newsroom, it’s a valuable resource.
