Hawaiʻi’s next generation of journalists got real world experience in disaster preparedness through an interactive, hands-on capstone project launched by the College of Social Sciences’ School of Communications. The initiative, which simulated a crisis scenario announced at a mock press conference, was designed to mimic a potential real-life situation and provide students with the opportunity to hone their journalistic skills in relaying fair, balanced and factual information to the public under deadline.
During the exercise, Journalism students were divided into teams, with each representing a major news outlet. The student teams participated in a mock press conference, where information regarding an approaching tsunami was provided by individuals standing in for various government agencies. The scenario involved an impending tsunami generated by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Aleutian Islands. Waves were estimated to hit the islands at 12:10 that afternoon.
After the mock press conference, student reporters had 90 minutes to conduct interviews with officials and use the information to create a “live” 30-second breaking news segment for their respective stations.
“They’re learning in a very realistic environment, what it’s going to be like out there in the real world,” said press conference participant Lt. Col. Charles J. Anthony, who represented the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA). “I was just really impressed, overall. I really was.”
The news blocks were evaluated on information, presentation and clarity of information. UH Mānoa juniors Dillon Ancheta and Victoria Cuba, along with seniors Arthel Lizada and Kristen Wong, won the competition for best news block. View other team videos.
“Honestly, I would do this again,” said Ancheta. “I always think that the second time we do this, it’s better.”
