Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

A string of seismic events has made for a week of deadly disasters in the Asia-Pacific region. On Sept. 26, Typhoon Ketsana hit the Phillipines, leaving hundreds dead and flooding 80 percent of Manila. On Sept. 29, an earthquake and ensuing tsunamis rocked the Samoas, killing at least 150. The Indonesian island of Sumatra was hit by an earthquake the next day, and then by a second less-severe earthquake the day after.

The Philippines is bracing for a second typhoon, and scientists are warning of further seismic activity in the region. But regardless of what happens next, the devasted communities will need help and they will need good reporting. For local and foreign journalists covering the devastation or reporting on the event from abroad, the Dart Center has put together its most useful resources.

DART CENTER RESOURCES

• Quick tips, in-depth resources and links to other organizations on "Covering Disasters."
• "Tragedies and Journalists": the Dart Center's comprehensive guide for reporters, editors, photographers and managers on every aspect of reporting tragedy.
• Tip-sheets from Dart Centre Australasia on self-care for journalists in the field, tips for managers and editors and working with victims and survivors.
• Guidance on mental health issues and how they evolve in regions devastated by natural disasters from psychiatrist Alexander McFarlane.
• Guidance on working with emergency services from Dr. Anne Eyre, specialist in trauma and disaster management.
• Scientific consensus, made readable, on the effects of traumatic coverage on journalists, on media consumers in general and on children in particular.

LESSONS FROM THE 2004 ASIAN TSUNAMI

• Reflection and advice from six international reporters who were on the ground (Yulia Supadmo, Indonesia; Mehul Srivastava, USA; Shahanaaz Habib, Malaysia; Shahidul Alam, Bangladesh; Pia Sarkar, USA; Mona Khanna, USA), as well as Australian photojournalist Patrick Hamilton and correspondent Kimina Lyall.
• Transcript and individual reports from a Frontline Club discussion of tsunami coverage, with former Dart Centre Europe Director Mark Brayne, BBC developing world correspondent David Loyn and clinical psychologist Bill Yule.

NON-ENGLISH RESOURCES

• A Bahasa-Indonesian version of the Dart Center's 40-page guide to help journalists, photojournalists and editors report on violence while protecting both victims and themselves.