Reporting on Disasters: An Art Form or Dangerous Game?

Time for a light hearted post. (at least for my standards, especially during these past few weeks.) As many know, I am an early riser, and do my best work in the wee hours of the morning.

Over these past few days, I have watched various reporters from CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS and other channels going down to Florida to report on hurricane Dennis. Equipped with microphone in hand, and wearing the post up to the date rain gear, these journalists, are speaking as the winds begin to hurl, street signs blow away, and roofs of other people's homes are ripped from the rooftops, causing destruction and devastation. Winds are hurling and whirling, like spinning dervishes, at hundreds of miles per hour. Meanwhile, the journalists, are telling the world about the dangers of the hurricane, the destruction that is being caused, and how it is not a good idea to be outside.

This type of reporting has also been seen in the face of the coverage of the tsunami in So. East Asia, or following a police chase down the streets of Los Angeles.

Here is the question of the day: Is this responsible journalism, or are journalists contributing to the problem and making the wrong type of statement by putting themselves in harm's way?

Thank you for your minds.