25 Sep Essential role of the media

1)

The media’s reporting of risks has often been blamed for inciting a culture of fear. However, others claim that the media have played an important role in contributing to the most risk-free period in documented history. Nevertheless, no studies have ever measured the efficacy of the media in informing and educating the public about terrorism and other hazards and disasters.

Before you begin this discussion, be sure to review the following readings and videos listed on the Learning and Assessment Activities page:

Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2016). Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management (5th ed.). Waltham, MA: Elsevier.

Films Media Group. (Producer). (2004). Essential role of the media in a bioterrorism attack (Links to an external site.) [Video file][2 min 22 sec]. In Reporting on terrorism: The news media and public health—A Fred Friendly seminar. Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=8496&xtid=33384&loid=49288 (Links to an external site.)

Films Media Group. (Producer). (2004). Bioterrorism attack: Information and the public interest (Links to an external site.) [Video file] [4 min 14 sec]. In Reporting on terrorism: The news media and public health—A Fred Friendly seminar. Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=8496&xtid=33384&loid=49289 (Links to an external site.)

Films Media Group. (Producer). (2005). Is it terrorism? (Links to an external site.) [Video file] [4 min 09 sec.] In City under siege—A Fred Friendly seminar. Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=8496&xtid=34821&loid=22564

After reviewing the assignments, lectures, PowerPoint presentation, as well as the readings and videos, you have a better understanding of the issues surrounding the role of the news media in both informing and educating the public regarding terrorism and other hazards and disasters. For this discussion, respond to the following:

Are the media the most effective risk, warning, and crisis communicators and public educators regarding terrorist threats and other hazards and disasters? Discuss why or why not.

2)

The DHS, The DHS, in its efforts to better inform and educate the public regarding all-hazards emergency preparedness created the Ready.gov campaign and website to assist and inform the public about all-hazards emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.

Before you begin this discussion, be sure to review the following readings listed on the Learning and Assessment Activities page:

Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2016). Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management (5th ed.). Waltham, MA: Elsevier.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (n.d.). Ready: Prepare, plan, stay informed. (Links to an external site.) Retrieved from http://www.ready.gov/

After reviewing the assignments, lectures, and PowerPoint presentation, as well as the readings, you have a better understanding of the issues surrounding the value, importance, and use of Ready.gov. For this discussion respond to the following:

Building on the community plan you posted last week in M6D1, what parts of the Ready.gov site did you find helpful in building your plan and what parts of the Ready.gov site could be improved upon in better assisting and informing the public about all-hazards emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.

below was my M6D1 post

Most disasters that occur in the community can cause damages to properties, misuse of financial resources, and loss of lives. For instance, fire outbreaks cause losses in the community in different ways. First, it might lead to the death of animals and human beings. Second, fire outbreak might burn personal properties and even institutions such as companies, hospitals and schools. All these incidents could change how individuals think or even plan for the future. Moreover, there may be floods in the community. The floods might cause damage to crops, affecting the country’s food safety. Continuous floods could lead to hunger and simultaneously increase the waterborne diseases.

Community disasters have negative impacts on the community. If I were a local emergence manager, I would use various approaches to prepare the community members for fire outbreaks and floods. First, I would engage community members in the construction of ditches that will prevent flooding. Engaging in community activities is essential to the nation’s success in achieving resilience (“U.S Department of Homeland Security” 2016). In this regard, the members will share ideas on best ditch construction methods, reducing the floods emergency. Second, I could partner with insurance groups. Through this, I will get personal accident insurance covers to cater for damages caused by fire outbreaks.