The Verification Handbook is a groundbreaking new resource for journalists and aid responders, which provides step-by-step guidelines for using user-generated content (UGC)
during emergencies.
In a crisis situation, social networks are overloaded with situational updates, calls for relief,
reports of new developments, and rescue information. Reporting the right information is
often critical in shaping responses from the public and relief workers; it can literally be a
matter of life or death.
The Handbook prescribes best practice advice on how to verify and use this information
provided by the crowd, as well as actionable advice to facilitate disaster preparedness in
newsrooms.
While it primarily targets journalists and aid providers, the Handbook can be used by anyone. It’s advice and guidance are valuable whether you are a news journalist, citizen reporter, relief responder, volunteer, journalism school student, emergency communication
specialist, or an academic researching social media.
The Handbook is developed and managed by the European Journalism Centre, based in the
Netherlands, under its Emergency Journalism initiative.
Editors of the Handbook
Editor: Craig Silverman, The Poynter Institute
Copyeditor: Merrill Perlman, The American Copy Editors Society (ACES)
Production
The European Journalism Centre (EJC), http://ejc.net, is an independent,
international, non- profit foundation dedicated to the highest standards
in journalism, inter alis through the further training of journalists and
media professionals. Building on its extensive international network,
the Centre operates as a facilitator and partner in a wide variety of journalism-related projects.
Emergency Journalism, http://emergencyjournalism.net, is an initiative
by the European Journalism Centre (EJC) that brings together relevant
news and resources for media professionals.
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