This presentation defines terms for crisis reporting. It identifies check lists to keep in mind when creating an article.

1. Responding During a
Crisis or Emergency
N. D. Larkan
Copywriting e-book Presentation

2. Crisis-an unstable or uncertain time or state of affairs, the outcome of
which will have a major impact
Emergency-a sudden and unexpected situation requiring prompt action
Accident-a happening that is not planned or expected
Disaster-an event that causes great ruin or distress; a sudden and crushing
misfortune
Although the definitions sound similar, they are very different
Definitions
to Know and Identify

3. HUNCHES AND INTUITION
Melvin Melcher
Hunches and intuition can lead reporters to good stories.
These insights do not come out of the blue. They are the result
of wide and varied background knowledge and an
understanding of the behavior of people. The ill-prepared
reporter does not have hunches.
Feelings and emotions can distort observations and
influence writing. But they also can lead reporters to uncover
abuses and illegalities. Reporters monitor their feelings and
opinions, and they make sure to avoid stereotypes in their
reporting and writing. The reporter with fixed pictures in mind of
people and groups produces distorted reporting.

4. Close-up Good stories are composed from on-the-scene
observation. The reporter witnesses accounts unfold and
emergency personnel reacting to the events.
Focus on the Impact of Your Story

5. Emergency Communication
What is an accident? What is a disaster? What is a crisis? What do they have in
common? They are not planned.
When something drastic happens in America, many times it affects the nation as a
whole. When a large accident occurs it creates an interest to find out how it happened, to
whom and why. When a disaster happens people want to find out what happened and
how it can be remedied or helped. When a crisis happens it affects people from
everywhere and often leaves everyone bewildered.
But the stories need to be told. Curiosity is a natural feeling and the public will dig and
dig, until they find out as much information as they can.
Many times stories are told to help overcome the fear caused by what occurred. Other
times it is to share the news of an event.
Here is a short guide to follow before information is divulged to the public.
The first information that is demanded is the number of injured, dead or those affected.
The human toll is more important than property damage, so be sure to have that figure
readily available.
People want to know what caused the event. Was it terrorism, was it an accident, was
it storm? If you don’t know the answer, don’t guess or make assumptions. Get the facts
and tell the facts only.
Audiences want eyewitness reports. Gather eyewitness accounts of the event. Many
times the eyewitness can give a lot of information.
Finally, include any warnings the public needs to be aware of or advised.
This is just the starting point for your story, so make sure you do plenty of research to get
the 5 w’s and how.
Tell your story. Tell the truth. And state the facts.

6. Reflection of Boston Bombing
Looking back, on our
very first day of class, we
talked about "what is news"
and "what is journalism."
Clearly, the Boston bombings were new, but the journalism is
hard to identify.
Remember we talked about the qualities of a good journalist?
We said:
* Excerpts from blog ”Sharing Information is not the Same as Journalism”
Boston Globe photograph
 Seek truth and report it
 Credible
 Curious
 Accurate (perfectionist)
 Fast
Written by Cole Cosgrove

7. Disaster Checklist:
Dead
Injured
Total affected or in danger
Cause of death
Estimated death and injury toll
Eyewitness accounts
Property loss:
Homes
Land
Public utilities
Permanent damages
Rescue and Relief operations:
Evacuations
Heroisms
Unusual equipment
Unique rescue techniques
Number of official personnel
and volunteers
Warnings: health department, public utility
commission, law enforcement statements
Looting
Number of spectators
Law suits
Arrests
Investigations
Cleanup activities
Make sure each of these are
included in the story (if applicable):

8. Accident Checklist
Victims:
names, identification of
dead and injured
Official cause of accident
Location
Time
Cause of death and injuries
Where dead taken and how
Extent of injuries
Heroism, rescues
Condition of injured
Damages
Arrests
Unusual weather or traffic
conditions
Eyewitness accounts
Speed, origin and
destination
Oil spill photo credit Stephen Campbell, The Houston Chronicle