Crisis news reports are often characterized by a high level of intensity and emotion. They are about a traumatic event that threatens people’s lives and wellbeing. This type of stories are often difficult to handle and requires specialized skills, resources, and training. Crisis reporting is about delivering vital information to the public and helping authorities shape their responses. It is a highly demanding profession that often comes with significant emotional and physical consequences for journalists.
In a world where it seems that we are constantly bombarded with crises, it is important for media companies to be prepared. This can be achieved by having an appropriate communication plan for different scenarios.
For example, a cyberattack can cripple your website or equipment failure can interrupt live broadcasts. This plan must include a description of the cause and how to respond. It should also cover how to communicate with the media in times of a crisis.
A crisis may also be a good opportunity to highlight your company’s expertise and products in an effective way. This can be done by creating an engaging story that includes images and videos of the incident as well as interviews with key stakeholders.
Research on media coverage of extraordinary events – or ‘what-a-story’s – suggests that journalists establish routines for handling these situations based on their previous experiences in similar situations. However, the question remains how to define such events and what criteria might be used for determining when something should be perceived as a crisis.