AUSTIN, TX (September 6, 2005) - There are growing efforts among journalism organizations to help their fellow journalists and the communities hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina, and at least one journalism foundation has announced funds targeted for the relief effort.
The Council of National Journalism Organizations has posted on their Web site a list of which journalism groups are doing what to help journalists affected by Hurricane Katrina. It includes a fund for employees of the New Orleans Times-Picayune; a fund that the Investigative Reporters and Editors has set up for its members; a relief fund for members of the National Association of Black Journalists; a fund for members of the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association; a fund from the Broadcasters' Foundation being promoted by the Radio-Television News Directors Association; and a fund for members of the Society of Environmental Journalists, among others.
Also, the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma has information on its Web site about trauma suffered by journalists who cover disasters and on how journalists may apply for relief aide from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
David Handschuh, of the New York Daily News, writes, "As many as half of the Times-Picayune staffers in New Orleans - from photographers, reporters, and editors to receptionists and printers - and their families apparently have lost everything in the horrible aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Heroically, the newspaper continues to publish. But what our friends are facing is staggering, unimaginable. To that end, I suggest the following:
"New York-area photographers can drop off clothing, non-perishable or canned food, or camera equipment (it can be older but in working condition, please) that we can ship South. Please leave your wrapped donations at the New York Press Photographers Association office at 225 West 36th Street, Suite 1-P (or with the doorman) by Friday, September 16. Indicate 'food,' 'clothing,' or 'equipment' on the outside of the box, please.
"I'd also like to encourage our members and every photographer to send a note, or a banner, to the photography staffs in New Orleans. A friend in the Times-Picayune newsroom wrote, 'Cards, with heartfelt sentiments, would mean a lot. Banners we can hang, something inspiring, would be good. They need some inspiration more than anything else. I know it may sound corny, but we've got nothing.'"
The mailing address is:
New Orleans Times-Picayune Photography Staff
c/o The Department of Journalism/Student Newspaper/Manship
The Department of Journalism
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Handschuh also writes, "There were many New York City-area photographers who went South to cover Katrina. Many have witnessed and recorded death and human suffering beyond their expectations and have no resources or outlets to deal with the nightmares that might follow. I'm working on arranging a 'town hall meeting' in late September or early October to provide still and television photojournalists, photo editors, and reporters a place for a moderated discussion. We'll have plenty of photographers and a few trained, volunteer counselors present to chat as needed."
Elise Burroughs at the Society for News Design is looking for volunteer "relief workers" to help out colleagues in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana who may be overwhelmed by the scope and damge of the hurricane. "These would be teams of experienced journalists who would edit copy, design pages, or other assignments while folks on the ground get a break," she wrote. Those interested should contact her at eliseb@snd.org.
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburgh, FL, has set up a Web page, "Get Help, Give Help," where you can make an offer to provide temporary housing, satellite time, or other assistance, as well as an opportunity for journalists in the storm-damaged areas to make a request for whatever help they may need.
Knight Ridder owns the Sun-Herald in Biloxi, MI, where storm damage is extreme. Knight Ridder has opened a fund for donations that will benefit the newspapers' employees, most who lost at least their homes and some who have lost family members. Lee Ann Schlatter, director of corporate communications for Knight Ridder, says "Tax deductable donations may be made through your newspaper or company by check or through Paypal. Checks should be made out to the Knight Ridder Inc. Fund or paypal@knightridder.com. Knight Ridder will match up to a total of $500,000 in contributions." Contact Schlatter at lschlatter@knightridder.com for more information.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced they have made emergency grants totaling $1 million to help the residents of Biloxi and Harrison County, Mississippi, in the immediate aftermath of the storm. The grants were $500,000 to the American Red Cross and $500,000 to the Salvation Army.
The Newspaper Association of America has a list of relief efforts that journalists may wish to support.
If you know of other efforts being made by journalists to help journalists who are in need because of Hurricane Katrina, please eMail the information to magazine@nppa.org so that it can be added to this page.
