by Lucie Shores

Created on: January 21, 2010   Last Updated: January 22, 2010

Check out Livestation, for ongoing news and commentary.  It is a site that provides a collection of world news stations as well as other stations that use the service.  The following news outlets make use of this service:  UNHCR,  Sky News, ITN UK News,  Press TV, NBC 10, Al Jazeerah, BBC, CNN,  C-Span, Frontline Club among others.

The Livestation interface is a carousel in which your stations will appear once you've made your choices. Of the networks available through Livestation, the best reporting can be found in the world-renowned work of BBC and newcomer Al Jazeerah.  The quality of viewing is very good and the integrity of the work of these sources is impeccable.  

The second week after the earthquake brought much criticism of the United States joint forces for not getting aid delivered to the people of Haiti.  In contrast Al Jazeerah reporters stepped out of the picture to allow the leaders of the aid efforts to report directly on what had been accomplished.  From one interview alone a clearer picture was delivered by those who were in charge of actual deliveries.  One learned that over a million bottles of water had been delivered in addition to 700,000 meals, much medicine and other necessities.  

Satellite technology makes some connections possible with friends and family who may be in the area, but the best information still comes from correspondents keeping in close touch with commentators.  They serve as a 24/7 source for reporting of the big picture as well as breaking news.  Professional ethics of those news organizations provide a measure of trust. Teams of seasoned journalists working for established organizations can also exert some pressure on events on the ground in terms of accountability.  Reporters and networks had telecommunication working soon after the quake.  That limited amount of infrastructure helped to served everyone.  

The tragedy is beyond comprehension.  Others like it have happened in the history of civilizations, floods, volcanic eruptions, massive earthquakes, but we have never felt so close to it before.  Because communications function at unprecedented speeds it is a powerful tool for informing and mobilizing efforts around the globe.  In light of the extent of the destruction, now is the time for seeking responsible reporting and following the directives of those organizations instead of assuming isolated incidents characterize the whole story.  Filming the acts of individuals taking food for survival and reporting that as the looting of violent gangs is irresponsible. 

There are several reports of masses of people peacefully sitting, waiting and singing together at night, waiting for help.  It's good that such reports get through to aid workers and the military so their delivery of supplies does not have to be delayed by fear of violencein certain areas. 

To get more of the real situation stay updated through  World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, Partners in Health, Oxfam and other aid organizations on the ground posting reports about their respective missions on their web-sites.

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