Tip: Bookmark this advice for covering natural disasters

Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp have changed the way in which news breaks and reaches audiences around the world in real time.

But when it comes to covering natural disasters, news organisations are still tasked with verifying the material shared through these networks and presenting it in a meaningful way for both a local and global audience.

As explained in a recent IJNet post by Parul Goswami from the 9th Global Investigative Journalism Conference, journalists should investigate the degree of warning and preparation which may have influenced the outcome of an earthquake or flood, for example, as well as find and illustrate data in a way that will help people better understand why such an event occurred.

Further advice includes refraining from using sensationalist headlines in the aftermath of a natural disaster and following the issue even after the audience appears to have lost interest.

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