This web log has been in a holding pattern for the past four months as we've waited on information on the status of NOAA's new procedures to spread the word when a tsunami is suspected. We feel the case has been made for including a few of the major networked news media outlets -- AP, CNN, BBC, Reuters -- in the earliest notification (see everything back to January 2 on this blog).
That wait ended today with the receipt of an e-mail from Jordan St. John, the agency's public affairs chief:
My apologies for not responding earlier. As you know from your
conversations with Greg Romano, the tsunami public affairs team has been developing a set of media notification and response procedures for the two NOAA tsunami centers.
I believe he also indicated that a draft was under operational review.
Based on that review, we are modifying the procedures slightly and
expect to have an initial operational buyoff sometime in the next few
weeks.
At that time, I’d be happy to share the draft with you for comment,
provided you not release nor comment on it publicly until the final
procedure is put in place.
Thank you for your interest in NOAA and this important issue.
Jordan St. John
It remains to be seen what "slightly" modified procedures look like. Would including the news media in early notification be a slight shift in policy? It would seem to be bigger than that, so this initial piece of news isn't all that encouraging.
We look forward to seeing the draft and will abide by Mr. Jordan's request to not publicize it , even though we responded to him urging transparency in the process. More rather than fewer eyes on the draft communications policy presumably would craft a better product.
Doug Carlson
Honolulu, HI
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