The role of broadcasting in disaster management Presentation by David Astley, Secretary-General,Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union

Hazards > Disasters “What is ‘natural’ are the hazards that lead to disasters – not the disasters themselves” Sálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDR (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) Sálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDR (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, November 2005 – the Roles and Responsibilities of Broadcasters in Natural Disasters ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, November 2005 – the Roles and Responsibilities of Broadcasters in Natural Disasters

Natural hazards "Natural hazards are inevitable. They represent the earth's normal way of doing business” – Al Gore "Natural hazards are inevitable. They represent the earth's normal way of doing business” – Al Gore Natural hazards do not have to result in disasters. Natural hazards do not have to result in disasters.

‘Natural’ disasters “Natural disasters are determined as much or more by societal behavior and practice as by nature per se. They can and should be reduced” – Al Gore “Natural disasters are determined as much or more by societal behavior and practice as by nature per se. They can and should be reduced” – Al Gore

Disasters increasing “Vulnerability to natural hazards is increasing dramatically* “Vulnerability to natural hazards is increasing dramatically* “Disasters are increasing in frequency and severity* “Disasters are increasing in frequency and severity* Alarming increase in human and economic costs Alarming increase in human and economic costs * Sálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDR * Sálvano Briceño, Director, UN/ISDR ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, Nov 2005 ABU General Assembly, Hanoi, Nov 2005

Disaster causes Continental plate shift Continental plate shift Urbanisation increases exposure to natural hazards Urbanisation increases exposure to natural hazards Environmental degradation Environmental degradation Global warming Global warming

Broadcasters’ roles Disaster risk reduction Disaster risk reduction Disaster prevention Disaster prevention Disaster preparedness Disaster preparedness Disaster warnings Disaster warnings Disaster coverage Disaster coverage Post-disaster recovery roles Post-disaster recovery roles

Disaster risk reduction Inform and educate audiences on disaster risk reduction Inform and educate audiences on disaster risk reduction Raise awareness of the causes of disasters Raise awareness of the causes of disasters Post-disaster - analyse causes for next time Post-disaster - analyse causes for next time

ISDR recommends: Use current affairs programs to examine ways to reduce risk and vulnerability Use current affairs programs to examine ways to reduce risk and vulnerability Include risk reduction issues in children’s programs Include risk reduction issues in children’s programs Train journalists to investigate the issues Train journalists to investigate the issues

Disaster prevention Broadcasters have the power and influence to promote a culture of prevention Broadcasters have the power and influence to promote a culture of prevention Important advocacy role – especially for public broadcasters Important advocacy role – especially for public broadcasters

Culture of prevention “ Building a culture of prevention is not easy. While the costs of prevention have to be paid in the present, its benefits lie in a distant future. Moreover, the benefits are not tangible; they are the disasters that did NOT happen.” Kofi Annan – former UN Secretary-General

Disaster preparedness Educating the public on what to do if a disaster occurs Educating the public on what to do if a disaster occurs PSAs are a key element PSAs are a key element Tailor PSAs to different events Tailor PSAs to different events Key role for private TV/radio Key role for private TV/radio Animation very effective for TV Animation very effective for TV

Disaster warnings Early and emergency warnings Early and emergency warnings Standardise terminology Standardise terminology Pre-warning education process Pre-warning education process ‘Single-voice principle’ to avoid confusing the community ‘Single-voice principle’ to avoid confusing the community ‘Under-warning’ / ‘Over-warning’ ‘Under-warning’ / ‘Over-warning’

EWBS declaration Urgent need for emergency warning broadcast system Urgent need for emergency warning broadcast system Lobby regulators to enact provisions to implement Lobby regulators to enact provisions to implement Lobby manufacturers to produce receivers with EWBS Lobby manufacturers to produce receivers with EWBS Common specification for CS Common specification for CS

Disaster coverage Learn from past experiences of other broadcasters Learn from past experiences of other broadcasters Avoid sensationalising Avoid sensationalising Pre-disaster training is vital Pre-disaster training is vital Important to verify all facts Important to verify all facts “Rumours can kill” “Rumours can kill”

Coverage phases 1. “Breaking news” – determining extent of disaster, magnitude of damage, loss of life, etc 2. Rescue and relief 3. Recovery and restoration - different information needs for those directly affected

Post-disaster roles “Information bestows power. Lack of information can make people victims of disaster... Information is also a vital form of aid itself” Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005 Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005

Post-disaster roles “People need information as much as water, food, medicine or shelter. Information can save lives, livelihoods and resources” Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005 Red Cross World Disasters Report 2005

Post-disaster roles Supporting humanitarian efforts Supporting humanitarian efforts Fund-raising (e.g. telethons) Fund-raising (e.g. telethons) Leveraging resources for relief efforts (???) Leveraging resources for relief efforts (???) Media watchdog role Media watchdog role

Disaster planning Contingency plans for own facilities – technical and administrative Contingency plans for own facilities – technical and administrative Review vulnerabilities and develop recovery strategies Review vulnerabilities and develop recovery strategies Prepare generic crisis management plans Prepare generic crisis management plans

Thank Thank you you