Journalists in Haiti

I can't be the only one completely sick of the 'look at me, I'm in Haiti' television reports, especially when the print reporting from there is just stunningly good. The writing, the access, the intensity of the coverage....incredible stuff.

I know we have a thriving Haiti thread on the News board, but thought it might be worthwhile to showcase some of the work from our colleagues over there.

From yesterday:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-haiti-roadblock17-2010jan17,0,1993795.story

And this one, which coffeeman posted yesterday:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cb_haiti_waiting_to_die

 

I know the AP's Michelle Faul is over there. Never met her, but had some very pleasant phone calls with here in 2001 about a possible job in the Caribbean a few months out of college. Never came through for budgetary reasons. She's done work for some real hot spots. A real journalist.

 

I read what I thought was a rather ponderous story in today's NYT written by Deborah Sontag.

It was about the deep religious faith of the Hatians and said faith would help them get through. Also talked about Sunday services all over Port Au Prince in make shift churces.

Left unsaid that the official religion of Haiti is Catholic. Island is 80% Catholic.

I am always cynical of the Times. Could reporter be that uninformed or was the Catholic fact left out on purpose?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/18/world/americas/18church.html?hp

 

Voodoo is practiced alongside Catholicism by many.

 

Same as New Orleans.

 

Same as in my house. 90-10 voodoo, tho.

 

Good thread, 21.
If we are spending $600 billion a year on the wars, we will certainly drop some cash and other support toward Haiti after this quake.
It's the American way.
Journalists/media are covering it big in these opening weeks, but I expect it to be placed on the back burner by many outlets sooner than later.

 

But by the relentless news cycle go I...

 

Haiti isn't large, isn't populous and was never rich. In the long run, rebuilding and improving shouldn't be that hard and the money they'll get from donations should be enough and then some.

The issue is the immediate suffering and the (lack of) infrastructure to help organize and distribute help. Money alone can't fix that.

 

Please tell me you forgot the sarcasm font.

 

the underappreciated -- outside of joisey -- bob braun has been brilliant in haiti. today's example:

http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2010/01/a_father_in_haiti_works_to_fin.html

 

Emily Troutman is fast becoming one of my favorite reads, even though technically she is a photojournalist. She has a great eye for detail, and really makes the reader feel as if they are by her side.
I posted her first piece for AOL over on the Haiti thread. Here's her second:

http://www.sphere.com/world/article/essay-help-is-on-the-way-to-haiti-it-just-cant-get-there/19322459?ncid=webmaildl1