Haiti earthquake coverage

The devastation in Haiti may have seemed a world away for many of us living in different parts of the world, especially here in the US. But with the ability of news stations and independent bloggers to report 24/7, people around the world were able to see first-hand the massive amounts of destruction and heartbreak this catastrophic earthquake caused. 

Below are my top 5 blogs that covered the earthquake in Haiti (in no particular order):

1) CNN - Their extensive coverage provided readers with photos, videos, and links to people still missing in Haiti, those who h

ave been found, victims and an iReport special called "I'm alive" which features video from those who survived the earthquake. CNN also provides the latest news and rescue and relief efforts that are currently ongoing in Haiti. I couldn't get the video to upload, but here is the link to the "I'm alive" iReport from Haiti. These videos made the strongest impression for me because they are of people who have survived the earthquake and are now trying to contact family members to let them know they are alive. Some of the people on the videos also discuss the family members they've lost. The videos really allow the viewers to see first-hand the heartache that these Haitian people are going t

hrough.

2) CBS News - Similar to CNN, CBS News provides its readers with extensive coverage on the earthquake in Haiti. Their focus now is obviously on the rescue and relief efforts, how people can help/donate and the after-effects of the devastation caused by the earthquake. A video that their YouTube site featured really grabbed my attention. The footage is grainy and looked like it was taken from a camera that was installed on a street somewhere in Haiti, but it shows the earthquake hitting Haiti, a building in the back

 collapsing, people in cars swerving to stop and then proceeding to exit their cars and run down the road. It's jarring to see these images because you almost ask yourself what you would have done if you were in that situation. Here's the video link.

3) The Washington Post - I think the Post always does a great job with their extensive online coverage of major events around the world and their coverage of the earthquake in Haiti was no different. Along with the national coverage of the earthquake (the US allowing more Haitian immigrants into the country, etc.), the Post also gives its readers a local angle, such as the story of Rev. Arsine Jasmin who was originally feared dead but then found alive a short time later (Safety out of Haiti, after worst was feared). The Post has an amazing photo gallery that is heart-wrenching to look through. If the earthquake still didn't seem as real to people who were not directly effected, this photo gallery will really make an impact on an individual.

4) Anderson Cooper blog for CNN - I'm sure many of us have seen the video of Anderson Cooper pulling a young Haitian boy who had just been hit in the head with a brick out of harms way. Cooper has been in Haiti since the devastation hit that country and has been right in the field. His blog gives info on how we can help, the ongoing relief efforts, the concern for the children of Haiti and medical coverage from Dr. Sanjay Gupta--who is also on the ground in Haiti. I think Cooper's blog,  really allows his readers to see first-hand what is going on in Haiti. The fact that he's rescuing young kids from looters and rioters also gives his postings a lot of credibility, if they didn't alreadly.

5) Truthout - Truthout is a blog that I came across while looking up the coverage on Haiti. It grabbed my attention because of the great amount of coverage it provided. The site links to all of the major news organizations from around the world in a timeline format. So if CNN came out with a new report on the number of paratroopers being sent to Haiti, Truthout gives a short paragraph on the story and then links to the actual site. Each post has a time next to it indicating real-time releases of the stories/reports from around the world. It is a great site because instead of having to search all over the web for different updates on Haiti, this site links you directly to any story that might catch your eye. On the right hand side of their webpage they also have a live twitter feed from around the world that gives updates on how to help in the relief efforts as well as any new updates people may have heard.

These are the 5 sites that I felt really gave the Haitian earthquake the coverage it deserves. Obviously there are more out there, but as every site indicated, there is still a ton of work that still needs to be done for that reeling country.