This book provides an introduction to covering crises, considering practice issues and providing guidance in preparing for and responding to calamities. It offers a concise overview for journalism academics and practitioners of covering disasters – not a "how to" handbook but a "how to prepare" reference to be used before a crisis occurs.

This essential resource is among the first to focus specifically and comprehensively on journalistic coverage of disasters. It demonstrates the application of scholarship and theory to professional practice, and includes a crash book template with logistical and information-collection requirements.

As a text for advanced reporting, broadcast journalism, and journalism ethics, or a reference for professionals, Reporting Disaster on Deadline provides key information for keeping on deadline in responding to crises.

Reviews

"Reporting Disaster on Deadline reflects the experiences of those who have practiced the craft of crisis reporting and the insights of those who systematically study these transformational events. The authors have assembled a set of insightful contemporary observations about the role of communication in crisis from the canons of traditional journalism to the emerging world of digitally driven citizen reporting. This work occupies a special place in a world facing more disasters of greater consequence and a revolution in what we call journalism."

—Matthew W. Seeger, Professor of Communication, and Dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, Wayne State University "Reporting Disaster on Deadline offers journalism professionals and students a ready reference outlining disaster coverage from every angle. Journalists, as First Responders at scenes of tragedies, play important roles as the public's eyes and ears. The book's authors have created a great tool for seasoned reporters or for those learning the craft."

—Doug Crews, Executive Director, Missouri Prciation

"Reporting Disasters on Deadline is an important book for practicing reporters and disaster researchers. Other books on disaster journalism are filled with case studies, with an occasional chapter on broader issues. However, this book presents many specific research-based planning and story suggestions that will improve reporters’ coverage of disasters."

—Mike Lindell, Professor, Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, and Co-Editor, International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters

Contents

Covering disasters without becoming one -- Marty Steffens

What’s Probable and What’s Possible: What the Emergency Community Knows and What the Journalists Don’t -- Fred Vultee and Lee Wilkins

Terrorism: Disasters that Communicate -- Fred Vultee

The Crash Book Manual for Competitive Coverage — Schematic for Public Service

Kent Collins and Greeley Kyle

The Quality of Disast...