Indonesia's Tsunami Lost In The News Cycle?

By: Hillary Profita
Topics: In The News

(Getty Images/Bay Ismoyo)

As the conflict between Israel and Lebanon continues to grab lots of headlines, the story of the recent tsunami to hit Java, Indonesia, seems to have gotten a bit lost in the news cycle. On Monday, when the tsunami hit, the story was mentioned briefly on network morning news programs, when estimates put the death toll at five or six people. By the evening newscasts Monday night, the toll was estimated to be more than 80 people dead, warranting a mention on ABC's "World News Tonight" and NBC's "Nightly News." The CBS "Evening News" did not cover the tsunami. By last night, however, the death toll had risen to 341, and all three evening newscasts briefly mentioned the story in voice-overs. Today, the death toll has risen again -- to 531 -- and the tsunami has been followed by an earthquake in Indonesia's capital, Pangandaran.

Newspaper coverage hasn't been particularly extensive either – since Monday, neither The New York Times, The Washington Post or The Los Angeles Times have carried stories about the Indonesian tsunami on their front pages.

The media was lauded for its extensive coverage of the 2004 tsunami disaster that killed hundreds of thousands of people throughout South and Southeast Asia. One of the salient issues that coverage revealed was the lack of an early warning system for earthquakes and tsunamis throughout that region of the world – a system that could have perhaps limited that tragedy. The Los Angeles Times noted in its article today that "[t]he government had planned to establish a national tsunami warning system after a massive tsunami hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra and several other nations in December 2004, killing more than 220,000 people. More than half the victims were in the Indonesian province of Aceh. But the warning system project has stalled." Michael Kocher, country manager for the Indonesian Rescue Committee, told The New York Times, ''This surely points to the need to establish an effective warning system. Surely, this isn't the last tsunami we'll see in Indonesia.''' While there are clearly other international crises worthy of the media attention that are tying up the press's resources, the recent tragedy in Indonesia reveals a story worthy of more than just a mention.

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by vonn4 July 20, 2006 5:37 PM EDT: I believe that the news should have posted more information about the tsunami. Another area the news only mentions are the UN Millennium Goals. These are goals that address the most important topics facing our world in the future. The Borgen Project is strategically working to make poverty at home and abroad the number one priority of U.S. political leaders and trying to assist with the UN Millenium Goals.; Reply to this comment


by jprosserdri July 19, 2006 8:01 PM EDT: Very true, Hilary. With the death toll exceeding 300 now, and another earthquake hitting in Jakarta this morning, the situation in Indonesia is worsening. Fortunately, nonprofit groups like the one I work for, Direct Relief International, have been engaged there since the 2004 tsunami and have been able to deliver medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to locally-based groups. Check out the rest of what we're doing at www.directrelief.org. Jim Prosser Direct Relief International; Reply to this comment