Preparing for verification success in disaster and breaking news situations Here are a few tips for creating a better verification process: 1. Build and maintain a network of trusted sources °° Build a list of reliable sources that include both official and unofficial such as first responders, academic experts, NGOs, government offices, etc. Gather not only social media accounts but also phone numbers and emails in a shared database/spreadsheet. °° Create Twitter Lists that are organized in logical groups based on topics or geographical location. Find the reliable sources through Twitter advanced searches and by following specific hashtags. You can also use Facebook Interest Lists and Google Plus circles, subscribe to YouTube channels and build playlists. °° Never treat those you come across on social networks as just sources. Treat them like human beings and engage. They are your colleagues. °° In the crowd, there are reliable sources who developed, either professionally or nonprofessionally, expertise in a specific topic area. There are also sources in a specific physical location. °° Build trust by engaging on social networks and meeting people in person. Ask them to recommend and/or help you verify sources. By interacting with them, you will learn their strengths, weaknesses, biases and other factors. 2. Identify the role you/your organization will play in the moment, and any possible disaster scenarios °° Identify your role in disaster communications. °° Determine how you should communicate effectively when an emergency occurs. °° Think about with whom you want to communicate, what are the useful information for these target group, what sort of language you should use to advise them. °° Structure your internal communication as fully as you structure your external one. 3. Train, debrief and support staff and colleagues °° Establish the toolset, workflow, approvals and communication procedures to use in disaster situations. °° Provide situational/scenario training, especially for those living in the area where certain types of disasters are expected to happen. °° Give staff the ability to participate in disaster training programs offered by emergency services. °° Prepare scripts/messages that will be used in specific disaster situations. °° Plan regular check-ins with key sources to ensure their contact information is up-to-date. °° Debrief staff after coverage, and adjust your emergency plans and training to adapt to new learnings. °° Do not underestimate “trauma” and “stress” that results from reporting crises. Provide support where needed. 103