This document is downloaded from DR-NTU, Nanyang Technological University Library, Singapore.

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1 This document is downloaded from DR-NTU, Nanyang Technological University Library, Singapore. Title Regional Conference on Disaster Broadcasting : October 1999, Bangkok : [summary report] Author(s) Citation Date 1999 URL Rights

2 Paper No. 3

3 SUMMARY REPORT

4 Regional Conference on Disaster Broadcastingtion October, 1999 Bangkok, Thailand PUBLICITY

5 Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand The BULLETIN October Number 132 Media in Disasters Wednesday October 13, 1999 (7pm) Dinner Bt280 members; Bt380 non-members; Bt250 non-members entry only. Panel discussion 8pm. Sixty percent of the world's disasters, natural or man-made, occur in Asia. Turkey, Timor and Taiwan are recent examples. With rapid urbanization, increasing populations and degrading environment, more and more people are at risk. Disasters, when they strike, are headline news. It has been said that "while rescuers dig for survivors, reporters shovel rubble for saleable stories" (The Spectator, 28 August 1999). Is this a fair criticism? What is the role of the media in disasters? Panelists include Dr. Suvit Yodmani, Executive Director, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC); Col. Brian Ward, Director Emeritus, ADPC, and Asian Media Information and Communication Singapore (AMIC) Conference Participants. Iridium or not? Wednesday October 27, 1999 (7pm) Dinner Bt280 members; Bt380 non-members; Bt250 non-members entry only. Panel discussion 8pm. ^eed to reach your editor from the epicenter of an earthquake? Tired of setting up satellite phones at Dili's Turismo Krtel? Want to lose something more expensive than a regular cellphone during Jakarta's next riots? The top :xecutives from Iridium Southeast Asia claim to have the solution and will give their best product pitch to FCCT nembers. They will also answer any questions about the company or product and have promised a few free phone alls. CS Internet CS Internet offers FCCT correspondent members a special discount on subscriptions for Internet accounts. Correspondents will receive 20 hours in one month for only 300 baht and 20 baht per hour thereafter, up to naximum of 40 hours per month. This is a third off normal prices. Connect from any province in Thailand for the irice of a local call. CS Internet has 56K connections and one line for every 15 users. CS Internet members can also pply for International roaming in over 75 countries. Contact: Richard Jones at Shin Satellite tel: to 49, xt. 421; application forms available at the FCCT management office. Offer is open until December 31, Vhat's on at the FCCT? Telephone Khun Panjavilai at After hours? Call us at Due to ncertain postal delivery we recommend receiving the FCCT Bulletin by or fax. Want to help plan and present programmes? ontact 2 nd Vice President Evgueni (Eugene) Belenky at or <belenky@loxinfo.co.th>; Correspondent Director of rogrammes Jeanne Hallacy at ; Associate Director of Programmes Philip Cornwel-Smith at or philcs@loxinfo.co.th> FCCT President Heather Kelly may be reached at or <asiaworks@loxinfo.co.th>; brrespondent Director of Publicity, Thomas Cramp ton at or <crampton@loxinfo.co.th>. The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, Penthouse, Maneeya Center Building, 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Phatumwan, Bangkok Tel: , Fax: fcct@asiaaccess.net.th

6 Message lor lnl'1 ATTENTION: Day lor Natural The Singapore Disaster Reductionmailbox./m Copyright Act applies, /.7C/Josc%20Ma.%20Carlos7id-99 to the use of this document. Nanyang l aa <a!m-out.un.org&numbcr=9' Technological University Library Subject: UN SG - Message for Int'I Day for Natural Disaster Reduction Date: Thu, 07 Oct :45: From: unisbkk.unescap@un.org To: <amicline@singnet.com.sg>, <anugrah.ad@elnet.ems.vsnl.net.in>, <cklee@daisy.kwangwoon.ac.kr>, <mchc@mudspring.uplb.edu.ph>, <nazuberi@cyber.net.pk>, <Phoenix@sri.lanka.net>, <sudarat@lily.bu.ac.th>, <fes@giasdl01. vsnl.net.in> 7 October 1999 Press Release No. L/33/99 SG/SM/7151 OBV/110 Message of the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction 13 October 1999 Natural disasters are among the greatest threats to the security of individuals and human communities. Recent years have clearly demonstrated this, with their interminable succession of hurricanes, floods, fires and earthquakes. On every continent, from the Caribbean to Siberia, through India, China and most recently, Turkey, deaths have numbered in the tens of thousands; victims, in the tens of millions; and material losses, in tens of billions of dollars. There are those who say that human communities have always had to expect the possibility of natural disasters, and will always have to do so. However, it is increasingly clear that some natural disasters, and will always have to do so. However, it is increasingly clear that some natural disasters are not altogether natural, and that human actions such as those giving rise to global warming, deforestation or the destruction of wetlands have greatly increased the risk of certain catastrophes. Furthermore, certain factors are aggravating the effects of disasters. It is no accident that 90 per cent of the victims are in the developing countries. Destitution and demographic pressure are forcing increasing numbers of poor people to settle in areas where landslides, floods and seismic activity are known to be likely. In addition, the precarious living conditions of the most impoverished definitely contribute to increasing the number of victims and extent of the damage. Inequalities, so present in our economic and social lives, are present as well in the face of natural disasters. To reduce the effects of natural catastrophes, we must continue to develop effective rapid-alert systems and ensure that they are accessible to the poorest countries. We must establish structures to make it possible to send out relief as quickly as possible. Above all, we must build a culture of prevention that will attack the roots of the problem. Sustainable and equitable development is the best guarantee against the loss of thousands of human lives. On this International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, let us therefor remember that promoting development is not only a moral imperative, it is also a viable investment in human security today and tomorrow. * * * * * 10/7/99 5:25 F

7 Regional Conference on Disaster Broadcasting October, 1999 Bangkok, Thailand DAY ONE 13 October 1999