News-Industry Leaders Contribute to Handbook on Crisis Journalism

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 29, 2001

Reston, VA - The American Press Institute announced today the publication of Crisis Journalism: A Handbook for Media Response.

The 76-page, full-color handbook results from API's effort to support media organizations in coverage of the Sept. 11 attacks and their aftermath.

API, for 55 years a provider of professional development and skills training, asked news-industry leaders to contribute their wisdom on how to produce and distribute crisis news. The Institute shared the information with newsrooms across North America and around the world through a series of e-mail alerts and its Web site. The book was produced from the material collected and includes:

Thoughts on the role of journalism from author and Boston Globe columnist Don Murray and Washington Post ombudsman Michael Getler.

Advice on how to collect information for "the next step" from Brant Houston, executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc., and articles on newsroom preparedness from Curt Hazlett, former managing editor of the Portland Press Herald.

Strategies for circulation and marketing from consultant Scott Stines, former president of the International Newspaper Marketing Association.

Insights into the multimedia story from Michael Real, director of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, and Staci Kramer, contributing editor of Inside.com.

The full collection of information, with photos donated by The Associated Press and the Gannett News Service, has been published by API as a reference manual.

"For most journalists living today, the terrorist attacks and resulting military action have been and will be the biggest story of their lifetimes," said William L. Winter, Ph.D., president and executive director of API. "Our staff set out to provide insights and stimulate thinking about how best to report, write and package this story. We're pleased to be able to deliver the Handbook as a lasting tool for newsrooms everywhere."

Copies of the Handbook are being distributed to media executives and journalism educators. The Handbook also is downloadable as a PDF document from the API Web site: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org.

The American Press Institute is an independent, not-for-profit educational center with headquarters in Reston, Virginia. It was founded by newspaper publishers in 1946 as the leadership-development and training arm of the industry. The Institute now offers about three dozen weeklong residential seminars annually for professionals in all newspaper departments.

A separate curriculum produced by The Media Center at API focuses on Internet publishing, technology and media convergence. In public seminars and private engagements with individual companies, The Media Center assists professionals in developing and implementing strategies, content and processes for the delivery of information across a variety of platforms.

Through its Extended Learning Center, API also develops tailored learning programs for individual media companies. These programs range from leadership development to skills training.

Questions or comments, please contact:

Gloria Pan
API Communications Coordinator

Phone: (703) 715-3301

E-mail: GPan@americanpressinstitute.org