What is the relationship between the extent of a disaster, its media coverage and the resulting help from charities and the public? A panel of Sky News and BBC journalists, DFID and experts with a background in humanitarian aid analysed these dependencies at a ShelterBox event hosted by the Frontline Club on March 5 2013.
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Mike Thomson, foreign affairs correspondent for the BBC, drew attention to a major challenge within conflict reporting:
“When sending reporters to a conflict zone, their task is to engage busy people in London with a country that is too far away to directly affect their lives.”
Thomson also highlighted that it can sometimes be too time-consuming to find the right sources in an environment where not everyone is a potential eye witness. Sarah Whitehead, head of International news at Sky News, is faced with another crucial limitation:
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Ross Preston, head of operations at ShelterBox International, differentiated between political and natural disasters:
“Man-made disasters traditionally are the bigger story and get wider coverage, whereas natural disasters that need more humanitarian aid don’t attract as much attention. Despite all, ShelterBox isn’t there for reportage, we’re there to assist.”
Dylan Winder, head of humanitarian response group of the Department for International Development (DFID), acknowledged the dependent relationship between the media and the government:
“The press raises awareness in places where we don’t have enough staff. Although media coverage is essential, cameras are turned off too soon. There is an accountability to affected nations. We are currently working on improving our sources, especially in building a relationship with local journalists.”
Whitehead responded to the criticism of the cameras “being turned off too early”:
“We always stay for as long as there is a compelling story. Each development has its own life span and we need to find the stories that connect with the audience. That is not a science.”
When opening up the discussion, a member of the audience pointed out:
“Chances of surviving a disaster is about where it happened. That is morally unacceptable. Often the coverage we have is not enough to initiate the required aid.”
Winder added a governmental perspective to the debate:
“What is aid and what is politics? We recognise the massive threat of getting involved.”
Watch the event here:
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Organised by ShelterBox
Join us for a panel debate, chaired by Clive Jones, Chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee (and ITV News) with: Mike Thomson, foreign affairs correspondent for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme; Sarah Whitehead of Sky News; DFID’s Dylan Winder; and Ross Preston, head of operations for international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox.
Inspired by ShelterBox, a growing emergency shelter provider in international disaster relief, we are offering a debate on how the media covers disasters, how journalists are selected, briefed and operate once in the field, and the value of their coverage.
The panel is chaired by Clive Jones CBE, the chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee. He is a former chairman of GMTV and ITV News, and an honorary visiting professor at the School of Journalism, Media and Culture Studies at the University of Wales.
The panel:
Sarah Whitehead, international affairs editor, Sky News.
Dylan Winder, head of humanitarian response, Department For International Development (DFID).
Ross Preston MBE, head of operations, ShelterBox International.
Mike Thomson, foreign affairs correspondent for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
