The WCPR Alumni Association hosted its “Broadcasting Through Adversity” event, featuring a panel of leaders and experts in the field of news broadcasting and communication technologies. The panel featured experts in their respective fields such as former Chief Engineer at 1010 WINS, Chris Tobin, and CNN’s chief photojournalist, Jeff Kinney. The purpose of the event was to have an in-depth discussion on both how broadcasting systems cope under the stresses of disasters and what communications companies look for in future employees.
One of the main examples of disaster scenarios discussed was the close-to-home tragedy of 9/11. In the midst of that disaster, photojournalist Jeff Kinney admitted that CNN and most other networks weren’t even close to prepared. “In hindsight we had no idea that something like that was even possible on U.S. soil,” said Kinney. He went on to comment that while filming overseas, he, his crew, and the entire network were always incredibly prepared in hostile countries where “death tolls on par with 9/11 were common daily.”
The silver lining of the tragedy was that it lead to an incredible amount of research and development in new communications technologies, as well as a much greater level of preparedness on all fronts. Kinney said that today even local domestic reporters have extensive EMS training in the event of another disaster. Director of Network Disaster Recovery at AT&T Bob Desiato elaborated on the topic, stating that his teams participate in disaster recovery drills quarterly as a worthwhile “insurance policy” should anything go wrong. The main message was that once disaster strikes, it is far too late to plan.
The steps taken by networks and various companies across the country since 9/11 have left us all better off and better prepared. Yet, even with the development of many new technologies and disaster planning in the years following 9/11, there doesn’t seem to be a singular solution to the upkeep of communication in a disaster scenario. Surprisingly, many on the panel were in agreement that sometimes it can be the most basic forms of technology that are the most reliable. Things like ham radios and simple two-way radios were the communication backbones inside most news networks during 9/11 and, even more recently, in Hurricane Sandy. The general message expressed by all members of the panel was that the most important quality to look for in a potential communication solution is reliability above all else.
The panel not only discussed the technologies that allowed them to do their work, but also the kinds of people needed to do it. Leadership is obviously an important quality. Jeff Kinney said that a real leader’s top three priorities in the field for his team should be “safety, safety, and safety,” superseding all other priorities. Photojournalists and reporters are frequently sent across the globe to situations most people are fleeing from, many returning home with PTSD resulting from the horrific and gruesome nature of what they have been sent to cover. And while the skill of being able to put emotions aside was considered crucial, empathy was also discussed as almost equally important. “You frequently interact with people who are literally having the worst day of their lives,” explained Kinney, who went on further to say that a little respect and empathy for the people who didn’t run toward the disaster can go a long way. The entire panel was in agreement that whether it be a war zone or a natural disaster, the best journalist is somebody who can readily and calmly put their emotions aside and remind themselves that, as Kinney stated, “Life will go on after this.” Another common theme that came up was that the vast majority of knowledge needed to be successful in the field ironically cannot be learned in school, and has to be gained by experience. This knowledge and experience is crucial to the maintenance of communication systems in the midst of any disaster.
Of course, none of the professionals on the panel are looking forward to the next huge disaster to strike our area. But according to Desiato, we’re due for another one soon, and it’s safe to assume that he, and the technologies we all depend on for communication, will be well prepared for it.
