Media Relationships

Abstract

For over two decades I have observed directly and have read about the activities of media personnel prior to and following numerous disasters (e.g., Drabek et al., 1981; Drabek, 1986:167–70, 222–223, 335–336, 345–346). At times, especially when lecturing or attending conferences, I have been asked by local emergency managers and individuals in other disaster-related organizations--fire, law enforcement, search and rescue, and the like--a question that usually comes out something like this: “How can we better manage the media? What have you social scientists learned that could help keep us from being butchered?”