7 keys for the coverage of natural disasters

A seminar organized by CAF and the FNPI called Responsabilidad ambiental y gestión de riesgo (Environmental Responsibility and Risk Management), given by Spanish journalist Joaquin Fernandez Sanchez, focused on how to practice a responsible and well informed environmental journalism, which prioritizes the impact of the news and brings them close to the people, especially when they involve natural phenomena.

Among the main conclusions, the expert highlighted the journalists' obligation to know the importance of risk management to inform in a responsible manner. Following are some of the considerations:

• Educate on topics related to climate change, especially on public policies, and know the environmental reality of other countries in the region.
• Familiarize with the meaning of terms in environmental terminology.
• The fact that an environmental journalist is the messenger of bad news has to do with the way in which the news are presented.   It may be done without removing their seriousness, but looking for ways to make people facing risks stronger.  
• Understand that natural disasters are nature's response to human decisions.
• It is important for journalists to know what should and should not be attributed to nature.Behind every disaster there is a process andcauses, and that is what they should seek.
• The threat may be natural, such as an earthquake, hurricane, or flooding; but it is considered a threat when it affects a vulnerable territory.
• A disaster is an unmanaged risk. As environmental journalists, it is important to focus not on the disaster but on the risk. When focusing on the risk, it may be possible to delve into the roots and try to prevent another one.