Katrina Reveals Good, Bad, Ugly of Media Relations

          

          On August 28, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the country when it hit the southern coast of the United States. As a result, more than 1,800 people lost their lives and more than $81 billion dollars in damages took place. There is much to be taken into consideration in the event of a crisis, and therefore, a large number of people must get involved to help keep things together and restore situations to how they originally were. When Hurricane Katrina came into our country’s.
          In the event of an emergency in the United States it is vital that the news media step in to spread news about available relief efforts.  News media coverage is vital because it is what alerts the country of what is going on, not just here in the United States, but also in the rest of the world. Their mass distribution of information for the nation all at once is something not even the government can do itself.
          A great example is the United Way, and organization that did a number of things to capitalize on media interest for the benefit of Katrina victims. The United Way sent dozens of press releases in September and October to local and national media outlets to help make the city aware of its efforts and keep the community focused on the problem. Their press releases included news about major corporate donations and information about fund distributions to organizations helping Katrina victims with child care assistance, housing resettlement, food and clothes, job training, medical services, school supplies, transportation and other needs.
           It is possible for other groups and nonprofit organizations that may not be as well known as nonprofits such as United Way and the American Red Cross to establish good relationships with the news media. One way of doing this is by making a Public Service Announcement. By doing this radio and television stations may feel compelled to run them to demonstrate their “public interest” commitment at license renewal time. The only downfall about PSA’s is that the station can decide to play it at any time it chooses and your spot can air at any time of the day or night. If the organization is lucky, the ad might air during prime time.
          Fortunately, there are always people willing to give. When Hurricane Katrina hit it was a devastating experience for all of us, whether we were directly involved or if we watched our fellow citizens suffering on video and did whatever we could from where we were at that time. In the event of a crisis we need people to step up whether it be nonprofit organizations like the American Red Cross and the United Way, volunteers willing to lend a hand in assisting people put their lives back together.