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The role of broadcasting in disaster management

The role of broadcasting in disaster management. Presentation by David Astley, Secretary-General, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union. Hazards > Disasters. “What is ‘natural’ are the hazards that lead to disasters – not the disasters themselves”

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The role of broadcasting in disaster management

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  1. The role of broadcasting in disaster management Presentation by David Astley, Secretary-General, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union

  2. Hazards > Disasters “What is ‘natural’ are the hazards that lead to disasters – not the disasters themselves” Sálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDR (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, November 2005 – the Roles and Responsibilities of Broadcasters in Natural Disasters BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  3. Natural hazards • "Natural hazards are inevitable. They represent the earth's normal way of doing business” – Al Gore • Natural hazards do not have to result in disasters. BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  4. ‘Natural’ disasters • “Natural disasters are determined as much or more by societal behavior and practice as by nature per se. They can and should be reduced” – Al Gore BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  5. Disasters increasing • “Vulnerability to natural hazards is increasing dramatically* • “Disasters are increasing in frequency and severity* • Alarming increase in human and economic costs * Sálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDR ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, Nov 2005 BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  6. Disaster causes • Continental plate shift • Urbanisation increases exposure to natural hazards • Environmental degradation • Global warming BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  7. Broadcasters’ roles • Disaster risk reduction • Disaster prevention • Disaster preparedness • Disaster warnings • Disaster coverage • Post-disaster recovery roles BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  8. Disaster risk reduction • Inform and educate audiences on disaster risk reduction • Raise awareness of the causes of disasters • Post-disaster - analyse causes for next time BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  9. ISDR recommends: • Use current affairs programs to examine ways to reduce risk and vulnerability • Include risk reduction issues in children’s programs • Train journalists to investigate the issues BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  10. Disaster prevention • Broadcasters have the power and influence to promote a culture of prevention • Important advocacy role – especially for public broadcasters BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  11. Culture 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 BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  12. Disaster preparedness • Educating the public on what to do if a disaster occurs • PSAs are a key element • Tailor PSAs to different events • Key role for private TV/radio • Animation very effective for TV BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  13. Disaster warnings • Early and emergency warnings • Standardise terminology • Pre-warning education process • ‘Single-voice principle’ to avoid confusing the community • ‘Under-warning’ / ‘Over-warning’ BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  14. EWBS declaration • Urgent need for emergency warning broadcast system • Lobby regulators to enact provisions to implement • Lobby manufacturers to produce receivers with EWBS • Common specification for CS BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  15. Disaster coverage • Learn from past experiences of other broadcasters • Avoid sensationalising • Pre-disaster training is vital • Important to verify all facts • “Rumours can kill” BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  16. Coverage phases 1. “Breaking news” – determining extent of disaster, magnitude of damage, loss of life, etc 2. Rescue and relief 3. Recovery and restoration - different information needs for those directly affected BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  17. Post-disaster roles “Information bestows power. Lack of information can make people victims of disaster . . . Information is also a vital form of aid itself” Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005 BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  18. Post-disaster roles “People need information as much as water, food, medicine or shelter. Information can save lives, livelihoods and resources” Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005 BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  19. Post-disaster roles • Supporting humanitarian efforts • Fund-raising (e.g. telethons) • Leveraging resources for relief efforts (???) • Media watchdog role BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  20. Disaster planning • Contingency plans for own facilities – technical and administrative • Review vulnerabilities and develop recovery strategies • Prepare generic crisis management plans BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

  21. Thank you david.astley@abu.org.my BES Conference, New Delhi, India, 2 February 2007

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