The news 
coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath raised a number of important questions for the news media: how do you discuss race and poverty; should (and when) should journalists become advocates; why are pictures of looting and devastation so easy and pictures of kindness, courage and generosity so hard? But the best moments for the media came before the hurricane ever hit. Three years ago, the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the New York Times and National Public Radio all carried stories about what would happen when — not if — a hurricane were to hit the city. They were right on the money. Public officials didn’t listen then. They still don’t seem to be listening.
See also:
Roy Peter Clark (Poynter Institute), American Leviathan
Tim Rutten (Los Angeles Times), A Warning Sent But Left Unheeded
Jack Shafter (Slate), Lost in the Flood
(Posted Sept. 6, 2005)
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Tags: Hurricane Katrina, Jack Shafer, Roy Peter Clark