This subject focuses on partnership and

linkages between private and public sectors,

the development of information, education
and campaign materials for disaster - related
management practices.

.
Learning Outcomes
▪ Discuss the relevance of media and technology in development
communication

▪ Explain the concept of public communication in DRR

▪ Examine the relevance of risk communication with the general

public

INTRODUCTION
This module introduces the different media or technology
utilized during crisis and emergencies. This also discusses
the different key areas or areas of consideration in terms
of information dissemination and quality.
 ACTIVITY

• Answer the quiz uploaded in the LMS.

ANALYSIS
What is your opinion on?

“Knowledge can be lifesaving, especially in an emergency, and much of

what people know is learnt through the mass media.”

Dave, R.K. (n.d.), Role of Media in Disaster Management. National Disaster

Management Authority. Government of Media
ABSTRACTION
LESSON 3: MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY IN
DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION AND DISASTER
MANAGEMENT

MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION

The media forges a direct link between the public and emergency
organizations and plays a very important role in disseminating vital
information to the public before, during and after disasters.

The media assists in the management of disasters by educating the public

about disasters; warning of hazards; gathering and transmitting
information about affected areas; alerting government officials, relief
organizations and the public to specific needs; and facilitating
discussions about disaster preparedness and response for continuous
improvement.

“right information at the right time”

▪ People need warnings ahead of the disaster and then, in its

aftermath, data on – casualties, damage, the supplies and skills
 that are needed, the best ways to bring in these resources, the
help that is available and is being provided, and so on.

TECHNOLOGY IN MEDIA:

2 major types of media that exists:

1. Electronic media (radio, television, satellites etc.)

2. Print media (newspapers, magazines, journals etc.)

Technology has a crucial role in information:

acquisition analysis forecasting

warning dissemination

Communication

▪ underlies virtually all elements of the hazard – mitigation

process/

Example:

In meteorology, the deployment of geosynchronous satellites for

telecommunications and for Earth observation, combined with the use of
supercomputers to analyze the data gathered from space has led to
highly sophisticated models of tropical storm formation and behavior,
providing earlier and far more reliable information with which to plan
evacuations and other hazard – mitigation strategies.
Forecasts:

◼ The media have covered the near-term prediction and relief planning
phases of the event in the developed countries.

◼ The media have significantly improved the level and sophistication of

their pre- and post- disaster coverage in recent years by using new
technology and consulting technical experts better able to describe
the causes and mitigation of disaster.

AREAS WHERE MEDIA CAN CONTRIBUTE:

1. Aid prioritization of Disaster Risk Issues

2. Facilitate creation of Early Warning Systems
 3. Increase international donations
4. Improve coordination of risk assessment activities

SOCIAL MEDIA IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Disaster Communication deals with:

(1) disaster information

disseminated to the public
by governments,
emergency management
organizations, and disaster
responders often via
traditional and social
media; as well as

(2) disaster information

created and shared by
journalists and affected
members of the public
often through word-of-
mouth communication and
social media.
 .

Courtesy: Agata Mining Ventures Inc.

LESSON 4: PUBLIC COMMUNICATION FOR DISASTER

RISK REDUCTION

PRINCIPLES AND STANDARDS FOR COMMUNICATION AND

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

I. Accessibility

Humanitarian information and data should be made accessible to

all humanitarian actors by applying easy-to-use formats and by
translating information into common or local languages when
necessary. Information used for humanitarian purposes should be
widely available through a variety of online and offline distribution
channels, including the media.

II. Inclusiveness

Information management and exchange should be based on a

system of collaboration, partnership, and sharing. There should be
a high degree of participation and ownership by multiple
 stakeholders, especially representatives of the affected
population.

III. Inter-operability

All sharable data and information should be made available in

formats that can be easily retrieved, shared, and used by
humanitarian organizations.

IV. Accountability

Users must be able to evaluate the reliability and credibility of data

and information by knowing its source. Information providers
should be responsible to their partners and stakeholders for the
content they publish and disseminate.

V. Verifiability

Information should be accurate, consistent, and based on sound

methodologies, validated by external sources, and analyzed within
the proper contextual framework

VI. Relevance

Information should be practical, flexible, responsive, and driven by

operational and decision-making needs throughout all phases of a
crisis.

VII. Objectivity

Information managers should consult a variety of sources when

collecting and analyzing information so as to provide varied and
 balanced perspectives for addressing problems and
recommending solutions.

VIII. Humanity

Information should never be used to distort, to mislead, or to cause

harm to affected or at risk populations and should respect the
dignity of victims.

IX. Timeliness

Humanitarian information should be collected, analyzed, and

distributed efficiently, and must be kept up-to date.

X. Sustainability

Humanitarian information and data should be preserved,

catalogued, and archived so that it can be recovered for future use
in areas such as preparedness, analysis, lessons learned, and
evaluation.

THE BEST COMMUNICATION IS PLANNED

Planning clarifies, in an ordered and sequential way, the context of what

must be communicated, how it will be communicated, through what media,
what people and resources can be counted on, and the audience for the
messages. When dealing with emergencies and disasters, communication
planning becomes a complex and challenging undertaking. It involves the
collection, organization, production, and dissemination of the information that
makes it possible to make informed decisions and mobilize necessary resources.
Experience in the United Nations system and national and international
humanitarian agencies has improved the understanding of the impact and
development of disaster and emergency situations.

THE KEY STAGES OF DEVELOPING A COMMUNICATION PLAN:

1. DIAGNOSE THE SITUATION.

▪ A diagnosis identifies the social, political, and economic conditions of

potentially affected communities and of the country in general.

▪ Keep in mind that during the disaster, information must be revised

and updated to reflect the damage and must include new information
from the needs assessments that are carried out

To begin the planning process, make sure that you have the following
information:
a. General characteristics - Population disaggregated by sex,
age, national and ethnic origin, urban, rural; literacy level; main
income sources and production capacity; languages, dialects,
religious practices, and social organizations; lifelines, main
roads; and most vulnerable areas and populations.

b. Information about disasters or emergencies relevant to the

area

▪ Type of event(s); prior events and response behavior;

risk maps; factors affecting vulnerability (for example,
political system, institutions, health and social services,
educational system, environment, economy).

b. Level of organization for disasters - Disaster response

organizations, coordination mechanisms, and disaster
preparedness and disaster prevention programs and plans.

d. Perceptions of risk: Knowledge and beliefs of the population

about their level of risk and the potential impact of an emergency
or disaster; the influence of myths and cultural practices on the
disasters and how to manage them.

▪ Ask: What does the community know about hazards they

are exposed to? Do they consider them risk factors? How
does the community live with the hazards? What
explanation does the community give for the phenomena?

e. Communication media used by potentially affected

population: Radio, television, newspapers, magazines,
newsletters, level of access to the Internet, community resources,
and alternative media and information networks. Know the hours
and programs with the largest audience.
3. OBJECTIVES

▪ Objectives define the timely and priority actions for

communication and information management. Objectives are
established in response to the needs identified in the diagnosis. They
determine the strategies and resources used to reach the population,
the intended messages, the most appropriate media, and a timeframe
for completing activities.

▪ Tends to answer the question - What do communication and

information management seek to achieve?

4. TARGET AUDIENCES

▪ Target audience(s) might include the general public, the affected

population, vulnerable populations, national authorities,
communication media, journalists, the academic community
(students, teachers, administrators, parents), international
organizations, donors, and the international community.

5. STRATEGY
▪ Strategy is the combination of criteria, decisions, methods, and
actions used to realize the stated objectives.
▪ It uses campaigns and programs that are structured for the short-
and medium-term depending on the specific circumstances and
nature of a disaster or emergency.

a. Advocacy strategies - would be used to promote public policies

and mobilize resources for disaster preparedness and response,
for risk reduction, and for educating the public about risk.
b. Social mobilization strategies - build a critical mass of persons
and institutions to address the specific situations and problems
resulting from a disaster or emergency and influence common
behavior to overcome these circumstances.
6. COMMUNICATION TOOLS

▪ The communication activities and channels chosen are supported

by a variety of tools or media. Factors that determine what tools can
be used are: the complexity, style, purpose, and sensitivity of the
message; target audience; availability of certain materials and media;
and resources.

▪ Tools can be print, audiovisual (videos, spots, movies), radio

(public service announcements, radio magazines, radio dramas, news
reports, interviews), computer- based (web pages, blogs, social
networking sites, educational and interactive CD-ROMs); or
alternative media (theatre, songs, calendars, table games, etc.).

7. FOLLOW UP AND EVALUATION

▪ Evaluation is a tool for determining effectiveness. Feedback on
how messages impact on the population, how messages are received,
and whether messages are understood is critical to planning and
managing communication activities.
 APPLICATION/ASSESSMENT

• Wait for my instruction during our synchronous session.

-nothing follows-