Resources for Covering Natural Disasters

As Hurricane Sandy bears down on the US east coast, the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma is assembling resources for journalists covering the unfolding natural disaster.

As Hurricane Sandy bears down on the US east coast, the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma is assembling resources for journalists covering the unfolding natural disaster. If you have additions to this list, please send them to [email protected].

Dart Resources

See John Pope's tips on "Covering hurricanes." Keep track of the storm using the National Hurricane Center & Weather Underground.

The Dart Center's 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.

An interview with Irving Redlener, M.D. on the role that news media play in aiding recovery and drawing lessons to better manage future catastrophes.

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.

Guidance on reporting natural disasters from Manoucheka Celeste, Haitian-born journalist and media scholar.

"Best Practices in Trauma Reporting," drawn from a decade of Dart Award-winning stories.

Tip Sheets on how to effectively cover a disaster and self-care amid disaster from Joe Hight, director of information and development for The Oklahmonan/NewsOk.com.

Scientific consensus, made readable, on the effects of traumatic coverage on journalists, on media consumers in general and on children in particular.

Dart Centre Australasia's self care tips for news personnel exposed to traumatic events, staff care tips for their managers and editors and reporting tips for dealing with victims of tragedy.

LESSONS FROM THE 2004 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.

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

The International Center for Journalists's two-part guide on Disaster and Crisis Coverage and Journalism and Trauma

Natural Disaster resources assembled by Google, including Google's person-finder.