Purpose:

The goal of the manual and the handouts section is to prepare journalists to cover natural and man-made disasters in a more informed, balanced way, and to show how a utilitarian approach to information content and dissemination can an effective life saver. It is intended to function as both an educational guide that journalists can read and learn from, and as an outline for a workshop focusing on the training of local reporters.

Overview:

The manual is divided into three parts:

• Section I: Information Saves Lives – Defining Humanitarian Response Reporting looks at the roles and challenges facing local journalists in a humanitarian response. It emphasises placing affected communities at the centre of reporting on a crisis.
• Section II: What Happens in a Humanitarian Response? includes overviews of international humanitarian systems and mandates and national humanitarian responses. This section gives journalists the frameworks and definitions needed to cover an emergency response. These technical aspects require some adaptation to the appropriate level for training participants; additional introductory notes in this section suggest ways of achieving this.
• Section III: In the Field brings together a range of practical skills and strategies for journalists, including basic journalism skills, strategies for impact, dealing with trauma (affecting both communities and journalists), and journalist safety and security.

Usage: Learning from experience

Audience: Communication staff

For Manua handouts, click here Manual Handouts