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Gathering the Facts....It Isn't Easy!!!
When a major news event such as Wednesday night's tragic fire in West Roxbury occurs, news reports, rumors and other information comes in by the minute often changing and conflicting. Those who are covering such events have an awesome responsibility not only to report the news in a timely fashion, but also to be as accurate as possible.
Quite often the media is criticized for misinformation or reporting what is believed to be fact at the time. Covering this tragedy for 1st Responder as well as some public safety social networks I belong to, I found myself in their shoes and they are not easy ones to be in. Even "official" information was changing whether it was the number of injured, conditions of those injured, possible causes of the fire, etc. I found myself having to edit my copy or write updates to try and "get it right". I hope, for the most part, I did. I apologize for those details I might have missed or didn't get completely accurate.
I have to admit that I have found myself critical of news reports especially when it comes to fires and other emergency incidents. I cringe when I hear reporters trying to speak the language of the fire service such as ranks, alarms and what not, getting it wrong. I never took the time to realize these news PROFESSIONALS do not have the experience in emergency services and public safety. I also never thought about the fact they are reporting in the language that was spoken to them. The hardest realization was admitting I get it wrong sometimes as well.
My experience with the West Roxbury Fire has given me new respect for the reporters on scene trying to wade through a river of information and misinformation in an effort to give news accurately to the public. I can't imagine the pressure of having to get this information and have a microphone and camera stuck in your face for a live shot while only on scene a few minutes. The stress I encountered and having the time to write my stories was enough for me.
The point I am trying to make here is try and not to be so critical the next time you hear a news report and they "get it all wrong". The news photographers, reporters and other media professionals really are on the side of the public safety personnel. They try to get it right with incredible odds against them at times. Try to remember that we are insiders in the field of emergency services, whether a front line responder or the family member of one such as myself. My father was a Fire Fighter for 36 years in Brookline, Massachusetts and I, like many of you, grew up in firehouses and have chased fires for the better part of our lives. We speak the lingo and know the SOPs of handling incidents. So the next time you hear it wrong, reach out and help the people who publicize the efforts of Fire Fighters, Police Officers, EMS Professionals and other First Responders "get it right". The end result can only be a more positive relationship and bond between the media and public safety. Also keep in mind that those of us who write and photograph for any publication related to emergency services whether as a hobby or part time job, WE ARE THE MEDIA! Sometimes we make mistakes but we always do our best to be professional and accurate.
Quite often the media is criticized for misinformation or reporting what is believed to be fact at the time. Covering this tragedy for 1st Responder as well as some public safety social networks I belong to, I found myself in their shoes and they are not easy ones to be in. Even "official" information was changing whether it was the number of injured, conditions of those injured, possible causes of the fire, etc. I found myself having to edit my copy or write updates to try and "get it right". I hope, for the most part, I did. I apologize for those details I might have missed or didn't get completely accurate.
I have to admit that I have found myself critical of news reports especially when it comes to fires and other emergency incidents. I cringe when I hear reporters trying to speak the language of the fire service such as ranks, alarms and what not, getting it wrong. I never took the time to realize these news PROFESSIONALS do not have the experience in emergency services and public safety. I also never thought about the fact they are reporting in the language that was spoken to them. The hardest realization was admitting I get it wrong sometimes as well.
My experience with the West Roxbury Fire has given me new respect for the reporters on scene trying to wade through a river of information and misinformation in an effort to give news accurately to the public. I can't imagine the pressure of having to get this information and have a microphone and camera stuck in your face for a live shot while only on scene a few minutes. The stress I encountered and having the time to write my stories was enough for me.
The point I am trying to make here is try and not to be so critical the next time you hear a news report and they "get it all wrong". The news photographers, reporters and other media professionals really are on the side of the public safety personnel. They try to get it right with incredible odds against them at times. Try to remember that we are insiders in the field of emergency services, whether a front line responder or the family member of one such as myself. My father was a Fire Fighter for 36 years in Brookline, Massachusetts and I, like many of you, grew up in firehouses and have chased fires for the better part of our lives. We speak the lingo and know the SOPs of handling incidents. So the next time you hear it wrong, reach out and help the people who publicize the efforts of Fire Fighters, Police Officers, EMS Professionals and other First Responders "get it right". The end result can only be a more positive relationship and bond between the media and public safety. Also keep in mind that those of us who write and photograph for any publication related to emergency services whether as a hobby or part time job, WE ARE THE MEDIA! Sometimes we make mistakes but we always do our best to be professional and accurate.
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