Relief organizations often have the infrastructure within developing countries to help the media identify important issues or emerging trends, give logistical support in reporting those stories, provide background information, and arrange for sources and spokespeople from within the relevant country or countries. The media should also be aware of, and sensitive to, competitive pressures or inadequate resources that might compromise accuracy or thoroughness in reporting. Designate and train development journalists. Cover efforts by indigenous organizations and individuals to prevent, anticipate, and respond to disasters. Reporting should seek to include, to an extent proportional to their importance, relief efforts by indigenous people and organizations or by other developing countries.
Most disaster relief comes from within the developing world.
News reports that focus on the arrival of western government officials, relief workers, or shipments from the industrialized world are likely to distort the response to disasters. The media should seek to interview and quote officials from indigenous governments and relief organizations where possible. Provide professional training and review. Journalism reviews, graduate schools, professional societies, and media critics should play an important role in training journalists in international reporting, critiquing reporting on developing countries, and sensitizing both the media and the public. Media institutions could help provide opportunities for skill building, sponsor workshops, provide training for reporters assigned outside of their home country or region, and even participate in providing substantive briefings about specific countries and issues.