Disaster Journalism Norms

Disaster reveals life's vulnerability and the morality of the society that witnesses it. In the aftermath of the Bhotekoshi disaster, people who lost everything had to relive their ordeal again and again for the camera. While the journalists might have seen this as a good source of content, it could have been an intrusion into the personal tragedy of people who were struggling to cope with a loss that they could hardly comprehend. The question then arises: Has journalism become so engrossed in capturing emotions that it has forgotten its responsibility to humanity? Journalism is necessary during disasters. It informs the public about the event, exposes flaws in institutions, and gives voice to disaster victims whose voices would otherwise go unheard. But while it is important for the public to be informed about what transpired during a disaster and the failings therein, it should not be allowed to intrude into people’s pain.