HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE CRITICAL ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN SHAPING PUBLIC POLICY

American television news media are quick to deploy their best correspondents to the sites of disasters to file first-hand report on conditions. This trend is largely market-driven, intended to gain a wider market share of the coverage. Live streaming via satellite and video phone has changed viewer's expectations in that people now expect to witness historic events when or shortly after they occur. The media depends on cuing from: 1) government agencies and officials; 2) the public; or, 3) from other media outlets, such as local affiliates, wire services, and newspapers. Emergency planners and responders are married to the commercial media: to warn and alert people to hazards, to educate and prepare them for disasters, and to advise the populace during times of crisis. This same media coverage also controls the public's perception of such events across the nation, which foments public opinion, which, in turn, triggers political response, and public policy. Scientists are frequently interviewed by investigative reporters working for the newspaper media. These reporters are trained to listen to government-sponsored press conferences, then seek corroboration through independent, credible sources. In the aftermath of the unprecedented damage to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, a brisk and lively debate erupted in the newspapers between the representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers and members of the academic community investigating the levee failures, funded by the National Science Foundation. This debate continued for nine months and had an enormous impact on the activities of the three investigations being funded by the Department of Defense, as well as the reconstruction activities of the Corps of Engineers. Scientists can exert an enormous influence on public perceptions if they allow themselves to work with the media, which can be challenging. The results are not always pleasing: the print media tend to focus on differences in lieu of agreements, and “dumb-down” stories for their readers. Scientists must learn how to work effectively with the media if they are to have any meaningful impact on the culture or shaping public policy with respect to natural hazards mitigation.