How to Develop Media Strategy Plan

Role of Media During Disasters

Advise the public on actions to be taken
Inform the public with timely and factual information
Update on actions taken by stakeholders
Facilitate
Broadcast information regarding affected groups

Role of Media During Disasters

• Report accurately and compassionately after verifying the news from competent authorities
• Use multiple sources of information to verify the facts and figures
• Choose words carefully. Avoid speculation. Stay calm and don’t express or create panic
• Avoid sharing information on personal accounts on social media without editorial cross check, in order to ensure that only news, information, pictures, video are shared that are allowed to be broadcasted
• Provide real time information
• Strictly follow safety protocols and never risk your life

Role of Media After Disasters

Communicate Rehabilitation Plans
Identify Gaps In Rehabilitation And Reconstruction Initiatives
Share Precautionary Information Regarding Future Threats

Role of Media After Disasters

• Inform the public about the causes that trigger disasters along with sharing verified facts and information
• Question the lack of early warning systems and their significance.
• Question the lack of urban planning and building resilience and why it is important.
• Investigate the economic, social and cultural impacts of a disaster
• Engage experts in dialogue who could draw lessons
• Follow up on the long-term effects of disasters with current affairs programmes and media dialogue.
• Keep the topic alive by including DRR issues in cultural and social events covered by media (e.g. children’s programmes, current affairs programmes, talk shows, soap operas, etc.).

Media SOP’s for Reporting on Disasters – Editors

• Have an internal policy about who covers disasters
• Have an internal contingency plan to cope with disasters
• Have a plan to alert and issue early warning messages
• Assign one reporter to cover DRR/M; the same reporter can also cover climate change
• Allow time and space to investigate the causes of a disaster
• Invest in DRR knowledge by sending reporters to DRR media training or on disaster field trips
• Understand the role you can play in policy change
• Organize private meetings at the higher level with national disaster managers
• Organize awareness programmes to sensitize and educate vulnerable people