By Mobeen TariqDisaster management can be defined as the organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters. In recent years, the world has been hit with a series of big natural disasters. Due to natural disasters there is an increase in need of communication since people seek to contact family and friends in the disasters zone, and seek information regarding food, shelter and transportation.
Media has played a significant role in disseminating information about these disasters by allowing people to share information and ask for help. Media contributes to emergency management in several ways including the relaying information to citizens about potential hazards and giving information about what local emergency management organizations do. During disaster news coverage, print and broadcast media play different roles due to technology, method of transmission and style of news gathering. Broadcast media are the primary distributors of immediate news, while newspapers are more dominant during the post-impact period.
Many publications have expressed that disaster mitigation organizations should focus more on public information efforts and media should focus more of its coverage on disaster prevention and reduction rather than loss of life and damage to property. Disaster mitigation agencies and the media should identify and communicate to the public specific measures that have either succeeded or failed to reduce the impact of natural hazards. The response time of the relief machinery is generally very late after any disaster. The rehabilitation work after the catastrophe is normally not carried out expeditiously. Media can highlight these things and played a positive role in identifying the area where the rehabilitation has been done and where there is a need.
The media can play the role of watch dog especially after the disaster when rehabilitation work is going on. Media’s influence in a democratic set up is tremendous and it should be used in a responsible and constructive manner for the benefit of the society. Media has re-defined communication in today’s modern world. Text messaging, the internet and social networking sites have made it possible to communicate with a large number of people anywhere on earth. It is an efficient and easy way to keep in touch and impart information, particularly in a time of crisis.
The Internet has become an essential communication network during this time. Social media can be a valuable means of communication in many places affected by a natural disaster, which allows people to keep in touch with family and friends. Social media has not supersede current approaches to disaster management communication or replace existing infrastructure, but if managed strategically, they can be used to strengthen current systems.
Mobeen Tariq, MSC Strategic and Nuclear Studies, and may be reached at Mobeen85@hotmail.com – Eurasia Review
