Disaster through a different lens: A guide for journalists covering disaster risk reduction

This manual for the media – compiled by journalists and disaster experts who understand that disaster risk reduction is a civic duty, government responsibility, national obligation and a good story – is for reporters and broadcasters who want to know more about those urgent moments when the fabric of national and civic government encounters the forces of nature. It asserts the importance of the role of newspapers, radio, television and other media in creating awareness and disseminating information about disasters. Reporters, commentators and broadcasters, can do more than just inform and raise awareness about disasters. They can make a real difference in the way people think and act, especially now when climate change is recognized as a major challenge that will aggravate our vulnerability to disasters.

Overview:
The chapters address:
1. What you need to know about disaster risk reduction (DRR)
2. Disaster risk reduction in the media
3. DRR lessons from four disasters: Indian Ocean tsunami; Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines; Hurricane Katrina, USA; Kashmir earthquake, Pakistan
4. Useful information on natural hazards
5. Disaster risk reduction resources

By Brigitte Leoni, Tim Radford, Mark Schulman

Summary

It is easy for journalists to identify and take up their responsibility in times of disaster emergencies, it is however difficult for many journalists to find any interesting or meaningful story in the quiet times, much more difficult to successfully pitch one. By introducing the concept of Disaster Risk Reduction, this book uncovers numerous ways to tell insightful stories before, during and after a disaster.

It also explains how reporters, commentators and broadcasters, can go beyond just informing and raising awareness about disasters, to making a real difference in the way people think and act, especially now when climate change is recognized as a major challenge that will aggravate our vulnerability to disasters.