When a bridge collapses: Handling huge local news
As the saying goes, 90% of radio is keeping people company. The other 10% is keeping people safe.
When a huge story breaks, like the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsing this week, throw your show out the window. Your new job is to deliver news and updates, as well as to be a source of companionship and reassurance.
As soon as news breaks:
1. Reach out to your programming team immediately.
Decide how “all in” you’re going to be. Don’t worry about talking about something everyone is talking about too much. It’s one day, it’s one show, and it’s probably the one they will remember most.
As Jess said in their interview with Radio Ink:
“Kramer and I just sat down and looked at each other and we were like, we can’t talk about anything else. There’s nothing else that’s on our minds. And if we feel this way, obviously all of our listeners are gonna feel that way.”
2. Open up the phone lines for listeners to share
Kramer said his focus was “facts and feelings.” Share what you know and then go deeper. More from Radio Ink: Ask every caller, “How are you feeling?”...We kept reiterating that no matter what it is you’re feeling, that’s probably absolutely correct and there’s somebody out there feeling the exact same way as you are.”
3. Get the facts as right as you can
Kramer suggests being as transparent as possible. “From the minute we started the show, the first thing we’re saying is we are finding this out with you.”
Afterwards: I asked Kramer, looking back, was there anything he would have done differently? He said he wished he had better connections with officials and had the staff to send someone down to the site.
One day later: Follow-up stories: Good news of families reunited, GoFundMe pages for families in need, etc.
After a few days: Comedy = tragedy + time. There might be opportunities to find lighter angles. E.g. Shoot now my partner is working from home like during the pandemic.
Why do we all know how to break ourselves out of a submerged car now?
4. Firm up your emergency plans.
Listen to their show the morning of the bridge collapse here. Read the full Radio Ink interview here.
Keep showing up!