Reporting Disasters: A Southasian Challenge

Himal Southasian invites you to a lecture on

Reporting Disasters:
A Southasian Challenge

by Siddharth Varadarajan (Senior journalist and a Founding Editor of The Wire)

Over a quarter of the deaths due to natural disasters in the world occur in Southasia. If one takes into account man-made disasters and conflicts, the toll is even higher. Despite this, attention on disasters is usually fleeting, with the media descending on the unfolding tragedy in a sudden rush and departing just as rapidly. Sustained coverage of disasters and their aftermath is rarely visible, with reporting shaped by the news cycle. Disasters tend to be treated as spectacles with little analysis of the political, economic and ecological contexts. The short attention span leaves no room for a long-term perspective which might take into account post-disaster recovery and the politics of aid. In his lecture, senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan will address this enormous challenge faced by Southasia's governments, civil society and media in doing justice in their response to mass tragedies.

This is a public event and admission is open to all. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Go to our Facebook event for RSVP)

If you have any queries, call us at +977-1-5552141 or email us at info@himalmag.com.

19 August 2015, Wednesday
6:15 pm onward
India International Centre
(Seminar Hall, Kamaladevi Complex)
40, Max Mueller Marg
New Delhi – 110003
011 – 24619431