"Do your research. Ask who your story is for. Report on recovery and aftermath." On October 19, journalists Lizzie Johnson, Peter Drought, Lauren Markham and Karen Percy discussed the practice of reporting on wildfires in Australia and in the United States. They also shared thoughts on how to sensitively approach themes of aftermath, recovery and community resilience, considering the ethics of reporting safely and responsibly. The full event video, a companion tip sheet and additional Dart Center resources on covering disaster are now available here.

Covering civil unrest can be frightening and dangerous. A crowd may turn violent with little warning and police can target journalists or mistake them for rabble rousers. It’s particularly challenging to maintain social distancing during a riot, so take extra precautions to stay on the edge for quick exit. Bring extra masks, gloves and sanitizer for gear.