The Tsunami: Covering Act II

The tsunami that wreaked utmost tragedy on parts of southern Asia has become one of the most overwhelming stories in the history of journalism. The scale of death and destruction has shocked even those who had covered man-made and natural disasters before Dec. 26.

The tsunami that wreaked utmost tragedy on parts of southern Asia has become one of the most overwhelming stories in the history of journalism. The scale of death and destruction has shocked even those who had covered man-made and natural disasters before Dec. 26.

Now, more than six weeks later, journalists face a continuing story, while interest among viewers and readers who live in areas not directly affected may be waning.

As sad as it appears, this happens in any disaster, even those in which tens of thousands have lost their lives.

However, this is when the story becomes most important for those victims who are struggling to recover and survive beyond the disaster. The media can play a vital role in helping survivors and communities to recover in the aftermath of a disaster.

A recent story from M.A.J. McKenna of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution provides an outstanding example of this type of coverage.

McKenna wrote about the tsunami's destruction of Ban Nan Khem, a fishing village on Thailand's southwest coast. Despite its destruction, "its 3,500 survivors have re-created their beloved village a few miles away."

"In the Bang Muang resettlement camp, Ban Nan Khem lives again — a testament to the human spirit that's making itself felt not only in Thailand, but across the 11 nations where the tsunamis from a giant earthquake crashed ashore on Dec. 26," McKenna wrote.

The story noted that more than 2,500 people were killed in the village; most families suffered losses. However, despite the deaths, destruction and uncertainty, the survivors are seeking to continue their lives and create a community in their makeshift camp.

In the story's closing segment titled "Desire for normality," McKenna wrote about the miraculous saga of Nui Varee and his family. Even though their boat was hit by a large wave, the family survived the tsunami when "a swell lifted the boat onto the beach."

"The family tied the boat to a coconut palm and ran.

"Later, Varee found the tree with the prow of the boat still tied to it. "He and his sons rescued the fragment and carried it to the camp. They nailed it to the wall and hung it with garlands in thanks for saving their lives ... "

McKenna's story typifies what the Dart Center calls an "Act II" story. These stories not only report the terrifying and riveting action of newsworthy events, but include the impact of these events on victims and witnesses. These stories also stir readers to help the victims, such as Varee and his family so they can obtain another fishing boat and
return to the ocean that they love.

It places a higher standard on stories than just reporting the numbers. In their continuing coverage of the tsunami, media organizations should consider "Act II" stories on:

— How communities are recovering. Stories and photos of the survivors and communities' efforts to clean up and rebuild, rather than the same photos in the hours and first few days after the tsunami.

— Survivors and victims of families rebuilding their homes, but most importantly their lives.

— Whether relief efforts are actually getting to the victims who are needing it the most or on administrative costs for the nonprofit organizations.

Managers of media organizations should also ensure that their journalists are not suffering from the effects of what they witnessed and covered in their stories. These journalists have endured and will endure lasting memories of enormous grief and tragedy, as well as feelings of frustration or guilt that they couldn't do more to help the countless victims.

In Peter Johnson's recent story "Grim story takes its toll on veteran journalists" in USA Today, journalists said that they are already suffering from what they witnessed — "scenes they liken to the photos of the aftermath of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima."

CBS News correspondent Lee Cowan, who had been reporting in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, told Johnson: "There's sort of a helplessness. Sure, there's the aspect of getting the story out so that more help can flow in, but you want to do more than send pictures home. But when you start helping one person, there's another down the road, and another and another. You don't know where to start or where to end."

CNN's Anderson Cooper added from Sri Lanka: "It's impossible not to feel for the people you're around. This whole notion of the impassive reporter, coldly and detachedly talking about what he has seen, is a false notion. I don't think it ever existed."

Overwhelming numbers. An overwhelming toll on life. The overwhelming saga in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Newsrooms must continue to seek stories that grip the public but be careful not to overwhelm their own journalists.