Understanding Media's Response to Epidemics

Laurie Garretta I think I have the most thankless task of this entire meeting: defending the media. Let me begin by looking at what you folks seem to think of the media, which is to say television, radio, cybernews, newspapers, news wire services, and a host of other information sources. Let me provide a few quotes from speakers here at this conference. Jerry Hauer said, “The whole issue of dealing with the media when it comes to bioterrorism is something that has been ignored. The media are either going to be an ally in getting information out or a foe in increasing panic.” According to George Poste, “Dealing with the questions of how the media would respond to imposition of quarantine . . . barely merits consideration.” The Center for Strategic and International Studies released a report entitled, “Contagion and Conflict,” in which they say, in reference to international threats but applicable to any locality or context, “Good information is the foundation of good policy, and addressing problems at the intersection of health and security must include efforts toward bolstering both the quality of and the transmission mechanisms for health-related information that may have security implications.” In Amy Smithson’s report, “Ataxia,” she wrote, “Promptly establishing a perimeter is important to hold the number of victims to a minimum and enable rescuers to do their jobs without undue interference. News crews monitor the emergency communications frequencies and could quickly get to the scene, sometimes even before key response squads. Continuous live television broadcasts of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City began 12 minutes after the April 1995 bombing. Some reporters would view such a disaster as a careermaking story and might be willing to do practically anything to obtain spectacular images or insider interviews for live reports. The media’s behavior could jeopardize their own health and also impede rescue operations in the early moments critical to victims’ survival. Citizens who believe that family members or friends could be victims would also have to be kept at a safe distance.” In the report, she also states, “A well-coordinated media game plan will be essential to reassure the public and attempt to manage the crisis. Even with careful media relations, public health and emergency response officials antici-