Senator Loren Legarda said that disaster risk reduction is not a
seasonal issue that the media can only report about when there is an
expected typhoon or other natural hazard.
In her keynote speech at the Workshop on “Integrating Disaster Risk
Reduction Reporting in Journalism Education Curriculum in ASEAN
Countries” held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Legarda, UN
Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, said
that the media is a powerful force that can promote a change in mindset
from one that is reactive to one that is proactive.
“The responsibility of a journalist to deliver timely and relevant
information to the public does not happen only when there is an incoming
typhoon, storm surge, flood or volcanic eruption. For instance, how do
we prepare for an earthquake? We cannot predict when a quake will
happen. We can only prepare for it in order to achieve zero casualty and
damage,” she explained.
Legarda, a former broadcast journalist, said that the media has the
duty to create awareness and disseminate information about natural
hazards and how communities can prepare and reduce the risks.
“As a channel of information, the media has the responsibility to
constantly remind so that preparedness and resilience become a way of
life. DRR is not a seasonal issue. It is always timely and relevant,”
she said.
Legarda also emphasized the need to integrate DRR reporting in Journalism education curriculum.
She explained that media is a strong platform that can encourage
action. But to be able to effect positive action, a journalist must
create awareness by understanding the issue.
“To be an effective communicator, the journalist must have a full
grasp of a phenomenon’s cause and effect. Even more so for the
phenomenon of climate change, which is so complex and overreaching in
its impacts that we should now begin calling it the ‘climate crisis’,”
she stressed.
Legarda added that the media has the responsibility to engage the
public to effect positive action to mitigate the climate crisis through a
change in lifestyle and strengthened environmental conservation
efforts.
“Humanity must adapt to a fast changing environment and adopt a
risk-informed lifestyle. We must now live life on the planet mindful of
the need to reducing risk to life, livelihood and property. Not only do
we need our journalists to understand but we also need our journalists
to encourage people to be part of this cultural transformation for a
safer world.”
“We need the heightened engagement of media in DRR and in reporting
DRR to encourage a new way of thinking and doing our everyday business
that prevents socio-economic losses, ensures genuine human development
and creates sustainable and resilient communities,” Legarda concluded.
(PR)
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