The role of broadcasting in disaster management Presentation by David Astley,...

The role of broadcasting in The role of broadcasting in disaster managementdisaster management

Presentation byPresentation byDavid Astley,David Astley,Secretary-General,Secretary-General,Asia-PacificAsia-PacificBroadcasting UnionBroadcasting Union

Hazards > DisastersHazards > Disasters

““What is ‘natural’ are the What is ‘natural’ are the hazards that lead to hazards that lead to disasters – not the disasters disasters – not the disasters themselves”themselves”

Sálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDR (International Sálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDR (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) Strategy for Disaster Reduction)

ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, November 2005 – the Roles and ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, November 2005 – the Roles and Responsibilities of Broadcasters in Natural DisastersResponsibilities of Broadcasters in Natural Disasters

BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

Natural hazardsNatural hazards

"Natural "Natural hazardshazards are inevitable. are inevitable. They represent the earth's They represent the earth's normal way of doing business”normal way of doing business” – – Al GoreAl Gore

Natural hazards do not have to Natural hazards do not have to result in disasters.result in disasters.


‘‘Natural’ disastersNatural’ disasters

““Natural disasters are Natural disasters are determined as much or more by determined as much or more by societal behavior and practice societal behavior and practice as by nature per se. They can as by nature per se. They can and should be reduced”and should be reduced” – Al – Al GoreGore


Disasters increasingDisasters increasing

““Vulnerability to natural hazards is Vulnerability to natural hazards is increasing dramatically*increasing dramatically*

““Disasters are increasing in Disasters are increasing in frequency and severity*frequency and severity*

Alarming increase in human and Alarming increase in human and economic costseconomic costs

* * Sálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDRSálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDR

ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, Nov 2005ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, Nov 2005


Disaster causesDisaster causes

Continental plate shiftContinental plate shift Urbanisation increases exposure Urbanisation increases exposure

to natural hazardsto natural hazards Environmental degradationEnvironmental degradation Global warmingGlobal warming


Broadcasters’ rolesBroadcasters’ roles

Disaster risk reductionDisaster risk reduction Disaster preventionDisaster prevention Disaster preparednessDisaster preparedness Disaster warningsDisaster warnings Disaster coverageDisaster coverage Post-disaster recovery rolesPost-disaster recovery roles


Disaster risk reductionDisaster risk reduction

Inform and educate audiences Inform and educate audiences on disaster risk reductionon disaster risk reduction

Raise awareness of the causes Raise awareness of the causes of disastersof disasters

Post-disaster - analyse causes Post-disaster - analyse causes for next timefor next time


ISDR recommends:ISDR recommends:

Use current affairs programs to Use current affairs programs to examine ways to reduce risk examine ways to reduce risk and vulnerabilityand vulnerability

Include risk reduction issues in Include risk reduction issues in children’s programschildren’s programs

Train journalists to investigate Train journalists to investigate the issuesthe issues


Disaster preventionDisaster prevention

Broadcasters have the power Broadcasters have the power and influence to promote a and influence to promote a culture of preventionculture of prevention

Important advocacy role – Important advocacy role – especially for public especially for public broadcastersbroadcasters


Culture of preventionCulture of prevention

“ Building a culture of prevention is not easy. While the costs of prevention have to be paid in the present, its benefits lie in a distant future. Moreover, the benefits are not tangible; they are the disasters that did NOT happen.”

Kofi Annan – former UN Secretary-

General


Disaster preparednessDisaster preparedness

Educating the public on what to Educating the public on what to do if a disaster occursdo if a disaster occurs

PSAs are a key elementPSAs are a key element Tailor PSAs to different eventsTailor PSAs to different events Key role for private TV/radioKey role for private TV/radio Animation very effective for TVAnimation very effective for TV


Disaster warningsDisaster warnings

Early and emergency warningsEarly and emergency warnings Standardise terminologyStandardise terminology Pre-warning education processPre-warning education process ‘‘Single-voice principle’ to avoid Single-voice principle’ to avoid

confusing the communityconfusing the community ‘‘Under-warning’ / ‘Over-warning’Under-warning’ / ‘Over-warning’


EWBS declarationEWBS declaration

Urgent need for emergency Urgent need for emergency warning broadcast systemwarning broadcast system

Lobby regulators to enact Lobby regulators to enact provisions to implementprovisions to implement

Lobby manufacturers to produce Lobby manufacturers to produce receivers with EWBSreceivers with EWBS

Common specification for CSCommon specification for CS


Disaster coverageDisaster coverage

Learn from past experiences of Learn from past experiences of other broadcastersother broadcasters

Avoid sensationalisingAvoid sensationalising Pre-disaster training is vitalPre-disaster training is vital Important to verify all factsImportant to verify all facts ““Rumours can kill”Rumours can kill”


Coverage phasesCoverage phases1. “Breaking news” – 1. “Breaking news” –

determining extent of disaster, determining extent of disaster, magnitude of damage, loss of magnitude of damage, loss of life, etclife, etc

2. Rescue and relief2. Rescue and relief

3. Recovery and restoration - 3. Recovery and restoration - different information needs for different information needs for those directly affectedthose directly affected


Post-disaster rolesPost-disaster roles

““Information bestows power. Information bestows power. Lack of information can make Lack of information can make people victims of disaster . . . people victims of disaster . . . Information is also a vital form Information is also a vital form of aid itself”of aid itself”

Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005



““People need information as People need information as much as water, food, medicine much as water, food, medicine or shelter. Information can save or shelter. Information can save lives, livelihoods and resources”lives, livelihoods and resources”

Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005



Supporting humanitarian effortsSupporting humanitarian efforts Fund-raising (e.g. telethons)Fund-raising (e.g. telethons) Leveraging resources for relief Leveraging resources for relief

efforts (???)efforts (???) Media watchdog roleMedia watchdog role


Disaster planningDisaster planning

Contingency plans for own Contingency plans for own facilities – technical and facilities – technical and administrativeadministrative

Review vulnerabilities and Review vulnerabilities and develop recovery strategiesdevelop recovery strategies

Prepare generic crisis Prepare generic crisis management plansmanagement plans


ThankThank

youyou

[email protected]@abu.org.my


The role of broadcasting in disaster management Presentation by David Astley,...

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