A quick guide for journalists re: #HurricaneFlorence
A list of common problems with reporting during disasters and why they're a problem.
Your coverage of Florence has major implications.
#EMGTwitter
A list of common problems with reporting during disasters and why they're a problem.
Your coverage of Florence has major implications.
#EMGTwitter
People are not panicking. People are not looting.
When you perpetuate these disaster myths you risk the divergence of resources from the people who actually need assistance.
Rebecca Solnit explains: latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/…
When you perpetuate these disaster myths you risk the divergence of resources from the people who actually need assistance.
Rebecca Solnit explains: latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/…
The really good news is that people HELP each other during disasters. Response is characterized by pro-social helping behavior. Here’s an example from Texas:
https://twitter.com/SamLMontano/status/1005076488872431617
Disasters aren’t natural! Here’s an entire twitter account about this: @NoNatDisasters
Here’s an example I wrote explaining why: citylab.com/environment/20…
Characterizing disasters as natural implies we can't do anything about them, which we can!
Here’s an example I wrote explaining why: citylab.com/environment/20…
Characterizing disasters as natural implies we can't do anything about them, which we can!
Response and recovery are different!!!!!!! Here’s a cheat-sheet: Response = life-saving measures to protect people, property & environment. Recovery = restoring, rebuilding, and reshaping.
In fact, the words that you’re using to talk about an unfolding disaster have actual meanings and it’s a problem when they’re not used correctly.
https://twitter.com/SamLMontano/status/882971831363391488
Climate change does not *cause* disasters but it does change the characteristics of hazards (i.e., hurricanes) (and also our vulnerability but I won’t complicate this here) so there is a connection. Weather attribution studies will be done over the next few months.
I know you want to write about the President. Here’s a guide to his role during this situation (just find and replace Harvey with Florence): vox.com/2017/8/26/1620…
And also, here’s a thread from when I was mad post-Maria:
And also, here’s a thread from when I was mad post-Maria:
https://twitter.com/SamLMontano/status/915285820206194688
Responding to a disaster and catastrophe are different. Harvey & ( most probably Florence) = disaster; Katrina & levee failure and Maria = catastrophes. Your comparisons about how the situations are handled isn’t that useful.
https://twitter.com/SamLMontano/status/906163424010350592
If you really want to go above and beyond in your journalistic endeavors may I recommend distinguishing between IMPACTS and actual NEED. Disasters do not affect all equally! Some people will have more/ different NEEDS than others.
https://twitter.com/SamLMontano/status/913052544196280321
Finally — remember that what you write and what you say matters. The media is a stakeholder in emergency management. What you say and the attention you bring to certain people and places MATTERS.
And I’m going to call y’all out because you very recently FAILED to take this responsibility seriously: washingtonpost.com/news/postevery…
Here’s a tangible example of how *national* media coverage influences donations:
https://twitter.com/SamLMontano/status/915893156054478849
Local media is especially important and you should cherish them. 1. They know the community best, understand the situation best. 2. They’re going through the disaster too and need to stay safe.
sfchronicle.com/entertainment/…
sfchronicle.com/entertainment/…
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