‘Media can play a vital role on disaster management’

Kohima, Nov 16 (DIPR):  ‘The media can play a vital role to enhance public perceptions on the impact of natural disasters by preparing the public before the disaster strikes, rather than assessing the adverse impacts,’ said Director, IPR, E. T. Ngullie while addressing the media on National Press Day Commemoration Programme held at the Directorate of Information & Public Relations this morning.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Role of Media on Natural Disaster Awareness’, Ngullie said that proper dissemination of information to the general public is very essential. He said that very often the media come into the picture only after the disaster strikes. Mr. Ngullie said in Nagaland, the weather and climate related natural calamities have been experienced by the people of the State for the past few years now and therefore seeking media’s help to enhance public perceptions about environmental protection, causes and the potential dangers from such occurrences has become vital. Ngullie said that there are remedial measures appropriate to a catastrophe and the public needs to be encouraged to take precautionary measures.

The imminent occurrence of an earthquake in North East Region has been much discussed because it lies along the active earthquake zone in the world,’ Ngullie said further stating that with today’s highly concentrated living conditions in Nagaland having tall buildings built on shaky grounds and loose soil, the disastrous consequences will be too high. Therefore media need to be motivated enough to create awareness of the dangers so that the people get wiser with the right information.

Since it is through the media that general public learns about impending weather and climate related disasters, Ngullie said that a sustainable relationship between the media, weather service and the general public is also desirable for disseminating correct information. He also said that a holistic and proactive approach towards prevention, mitigation and preparedness is being adopted for disaster management under the National Policy on disaster management. In this connection Ngullie also said that the State Government has begun training programmes for media persons in order to generate awareness. He further urged the media to inform the general public with knowledge based data to create general awareness and the local media to give more coverage on issues relevant to local condition.

Correspondent of ‘The Telegraph’, Nishit Dholabhai who also spoke on the occasion said that Nagaland is in a high risk seismic zone and the issue of disaster management is the need of the hour. He said that it is very essential for the media to wake up first and then wake up the public. Stating that media can play a vital role in pointing out vulnerability points and what people should do in case of a calamity, Dholabhai said that instead of post disaster management media needs to inform the people first before it is too late. He further said that after 1950 there has been no major earthquake in the North East and it can strike the region anytime. He said that the Government machineries and the public, including school children, should be properly sensitised to minimize high damage.

During interactions, it was declared that the media will urge the Government to come up with legislation for buildings as a precautionary measure in time of disasters. While the need of the media to re-dedicate themselves on the issue of disaster management was felt a necessity, the house felt that the Government should also assist the media in the right manner.

The programme was chaired by Editor Capi, Mhalezolie and was well attended by media personnel including DDK, AIR, Local TV Channels and representatives from the print media.



Support The Morung Express.
Your Contributions Matter
Click Here