Media urged to put children before the story in disaster coverage

Journalists across the Caribbean are being urged to rethink how they cover disasters, with greater attention to protecting children and other vulnerable people rather than simply being first with the story.

Julius Gittens, principal consultant of Herald Media Partners Limited and facilitator of a two-day regional workshop in Saint Lucia, said the media must recognise that disasters are not merely events to be covered, but situations involving people whose rights, dignity and privacy must be protected.

Gittens, a veteran regional journalist, said this was particularly important when reporting on children.