"This media analysis report by global reputation analyst Echo Research reviews UNICEF’s communications following the Tsunami and the impact of communication on government policies and UNICEF programs in Sri Lanka and Indonesia (the Tsunami Zone). The analysis looks at UNICEF coverage related to th
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e Tsunami disaster in key international and Tsunami region media. The report tracks message pick up, spokespersons, issues related to the aftermath of the Tsunami and UNICEFS efforts related to these issues. This study is designed to help improve the effectiveness and future use of communication in support of UNICEF programming and advocacy. The period of the analysis covers the three months following the Tsunami: Dec 26, 2004 – March 26, 2005." (Introduction)
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"Information dissemination is constrained by political sensitivity, the vulnerability of public information campaigns to manipulation, the difficulties of ensuring accurate information flow and the logistical impediments of conveying information across Darfur. For these reasons, existing initiatives
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have been confined to ‘safe’ information – largely related to humanitarian programmes – using existing community structures and word of mouth. A few efforts have been made to incorporate drama, public address systems and illustrations instead of printed information. Mass information campaigns have attempted to reach a broader audience but the methods used are in need of improvement. The major shortfalls are the lack of outreach work by NGOs, an over-reliance on dissemination through sheiks, the lack of explanation as to the long-term nature of protection work, inadequate dissemination of agreements on and principles of voluntary return, the absence of impartial and trusted internal media and a platform on which IDPs can discuss their views and concerns. With regard to safety and security, the situation remains too precarious to engage in informing IDPs on secure areas. In respect of all other categories of information, there are sizeable obstacles to dissemination but it should be possible to circumvent them. The need to do this has been recognised. Darfuris and the humanitarian community need a medium of mass communication through which pressing issues can be dealt with. Existing word of mouth methods can be improved and supported but there will be no substitute for a public platform for discussion and dissemination." (Conclusion)
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"Journalists face unusual challenges when covering violent or mass tragedies. They face the possibility of being a first responder to a violent event. They interact with victims dealing with extraordinary grief. Journalists who cover any “blood-and-guts” beat often build a needed and appropriate
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professional wall between themselves and the survivors and other witnesses they interview. But after reporters talk with people who have suffered great loss, the same wall may impede the need of journalists to react to their own exposure to tragedy. Al Tompkins of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies wrote the following for Poynter.org on Sept. 15, 2001: “Reporters, photojournalists, engineers, soundmen and field producers often work elbow to elbow with emergency workers. Journalists’ symptoms of traumatic stress are remarkably similar to those of police officers and firefighters who work in the immediate aftermath of tragedy, yet journalists typically receive little support after they file their stories. While public-safety workers are offered debriefings and counseling after a trauma, journalists are merely assigned another story.” In the future, we know that we’ll face more tragedies — more dates that will leave lasting memories for victims, communities and ourselves. The practical tips in this booklet can help you become more effective in handling these vital areas." (Page 3)
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"Sharing the Front Line and the Back Hills" points to a crisis facing international institutions and the media who seek to alleviate and report human suffering throughout the world. The goals of the editor are to tell the story of thousands of individuals dedicated to helping others; and to integrat
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e issues of protection and care into all levels of planning, implementing and evaluating international intervention and action. The book identifies approaches that have proven useful and explores and suggests future directions." (Publisher description)
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"Although it relies heavily on reliable information and long distance communication, the humanitarian community has never taken the lead in developing technologies that are particularly suited to its needs. Over the last decades it has greatly profited, however, from technological innovations in tel
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ecommunications and information technology. Besides, a number of applications has been developed that are particularly aimed at the humanitarian community. In particular static products that don’t need to be frequently updated, such as maps, training materials et cetera, have been widely disseminated: the development of this kind of products has become an important aspect of disaster preparedness. Recommendation: Under the heading of disaster preparedness humanitarian organisations should continue to develop information products that can easily be used under a variety of field conditions. Donors, including ECHO, should (continue to) provide funding for such projects. The sharing of these IT tools should be encouraged: as a matter of fact, a culture of sharing information and IT among humanitarian organisations should be promoted." (Executive summary, page 3)
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"Not long after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, a memo from the American Press Institute went out to US news editors and reporters, advising them on the “correct” way to utilize photographs in crisis reporting. In part the directive said, “our backs are to
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the podium and our cameras are focused on the faces of the crowd” (Lower 2001). This was curious, for among photojournalists the idea of using images to draw from and upon the public rather than to depict the events being witnessed was antithetical to what good journalism is supposed to do." (Abstract)
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"The main purpose of this guide is to highlight some of the benefits, challenges and options when considering funding of media and communication interventions. This publication is not designed to be a ‘how to’ guide for designing and implementing such programmes. Rather, it aims to guide DFID st
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aff, responding to conflicts and other emergencies, on: when to support media initiatives; what types of assistance to provide to media organisations; how to appraise and monitor media based interventions. Thematically, most attention is given to the role of media in conflict situations as this is where most experience has been gained to date. However, sections on natural and man-made disasters are also included. Furthermore, the main focus is on electronic media, such as local, national and international radio and TV broadcasting. This focus has been adopted because the bulk of media initiatives undertaken in areas of conflict fall within these categories." (Introduction, page 6-7)
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"This book aims to improve the relationship between the media and those subject to media scrutiny at a time of crisis or disaster by generating mutual understanding of their needs. Drawing on the experience of practitioners, it aims to disseminate good practice. Part I sets the context and raises so
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me general issues on the theme of communicating at a time of crisis or disaster. Part II looks at the relationships between media and those who are trying to manage the crisis in public relations and public information terms. It contains a number of case studies, each contributed by an expert, clearly explaining how a variety of crises and disasters were managed by the organisations concerned, and how they were reported by the media. Part III is an extended case study of the Hillsborough disaster, taking a candid look at what happened from the perspective of four very different people who were closely involved in the aftermath. The final section includes chapters on the value of training and rehearsal, and some of the lessons learned from Dunblane." (Publisher description)
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"Frederick Forsyth reveals how he resigned from the BBC to report from Biafra - and attack the British government. Jonathan Dimbleby describes the risks he took in filming 'The Unknown Famine' - which toppled an emperor. Mohamed Amin and Michael Buerk tell how their last-minute partnership in Ethiop
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ia created the harrowing film which so moved Bob Geldorf. 'News out of Africa draws on these and other first-hand accounts of reporting famine to explore the random and often accidental way in which news is selected; the exploitation of the media by both individuals and governments, missionaries and revolutionaries; the distrubing implications of television's increasing dependence on satellites and electronic news gathering." (Back cover)
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