Roadmap for Answer Writing

Introduction:

• Define disaster management and its significance in India.
• Briefly mention the media’s role in disaster management: aiding in preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

Main Body:

1. Positive Role of Media:
   • Information Dissemination:
     • Media ensures timely and accurate information to the public.
     • Example: Kerala floods 2018, where news channels provided 24/7 coverage, helping the public stay informed about evacuation plans and relief efforts.
   • Raising Awareness:
     • Media promotes disaster preparedness and educates people about risks and safety measures.
     • Example: COVID-19 awareness program, Sukoon, by Doordarshan Kashmir Channel, focusing on safety measures during the pandemic.
   • Bridging the Gap:
     • Media serves as an intermediary between authorities and affected communities, relaying firsthand reports and official announcements.
     • Example: During the 2014 floods, Radio Kashmir Srinagar helped reunite families by broadcasting missing persons’ reports.
   • Community Engagement:
     • Media helps in fundraising and providing relief to affected communities.
     • Example: Social For Action, a crowdfunding platform by Sakal Media Group, which facilitated disaster relief efforts.
   • Holding Authorities Accountable:
     • Media acts as a watchdog, ensuring transparency and accountability in government responses to disasters.
     • Example: Investigative reporting on slow relief response in some affected areas during the 2018 floods in Kerala.
2. Negative Role of Media:
   • Sensationalism:
     • The media sometimes exaggerates or sensationalizes events, leading to panic and confusion.
     • Example: Misinformation during the COVID-19 crisis, with some media outlets spreading unverified data and panic.
   • Invasion of Privacy:
     • Excessive media coverage of disaster victims can invade their privacy and worsen their trauma.
   • Biased Coverage:
     • Media often prioritizes urban disasters, while neglecting rural or remote areas, creating an imbalance in coverage.
     • Example: Urban floods in Delhi and Bengaluru receiving more media coverage compared to those in the Northeast.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the positive and negative roles of the media in disaster management.
• Emphasize the need for ethical journalism, collaboration with disaster management agencies, and balanced coverage to enhance the media’s role in disaster management.

Relevant Facts and Examples:

1. Positive Role:
   • Kerala floods (2018): 24/7 media coverage helped disseminate life-saving information to millions of people.
   • Sukoon by Doordarshan Kashmir: Created awareness on COVID-19 safety protocols in Kashmir.
   • Radio Kashmir Srinagar: Helped reunite people during the 2014 floods by broadcasting updates and messages.
   • Social For Action (Sakal Media Group): Crowdfunding platform for disaster relief, showcasing media’s role in community engagement.
2. Negative Role:
   • Misinformation during COVID-19: Fake news spread through media worsened the crisis in the initial stages.
   • Invasion of privacy: Excessive coverage of disaster victims’ personal lives has caused emotional distress.
   • Biased coverage: Urban areas like Delhi and Bengaluru receive more media attention than rural or less developed regions.