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East Palestine bombarded by media in wake of derailment

Dozens of microphones from local, state and national news outlets are mounted on a stand before U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg makes remarks to the media Feb. 23 just outside the site of the train derailment in East Palestine. (Photo by Allie Vugrincic)

EAST PALESTINE — The Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern train derailment and subsequent fire and controlled burn of toxic chemicals has led to media from around the world descending on this small village in Columbiana County.

But it’s not just the usual parade of local newspapers and TV stations. Bloggers, vloggers, content creators, citizen journalists, podcasters, social media denizens and just about anyone with a smart phone has been reporting on the situation in East Palestine with great fervor, drawing attention worldwide.

So how should residents handle the onslaught of media coverage?

Adam Earnheardt, a professor in the Department of Communications at Youngstown State University, has researched the effects of communication devices and social media as it relates to journalism. He’s also an author and social media critic.

Gretchen Hoak, an associate professor of the School of Media and Journalism at Kent State University, spent 10 years as a local television news reporter and anchor, and is the adviser for the student-run campus television station, TV2. Her research focuses on the psychological and emotional effects that covering traumatic news stories can have on

journalists, such as post-traumatic stress, compassion fatigue and depression.

WEIGHING IN

Both weighed in on handling the media as a private citizen, what to look out for regarding various types of media sources, how to question credentials and when to just say “no comment.”

“Now, you have content reporters and citizen journalists that have phones on record being pushed into the faces of folks that have never dealt with anything like this. Not only are they devastated by how their lives are turned upside down, but now multiple news sources want to talk to them. It’s very difficult to know who to trust by not knowing who these new types of media people are associated with,” Earnheardt said.

Hoak agreed.

“In the past, seeing a reporter with affiliate logos on their clothing, a microphone tent with the news channel’s call letters and a giant camera on someone’s shoulder would be a clear indicator they were press. But seriously, trust your gut on wether you want to talk to a reporter. If you feel something isn’t right, trust that feeling. Be wary of people offering money or gifts; it’s unethical,” she said.

“Right away, ask them for a card. Ask for their credentials. Who are they affiliated with? They should have something to prove who they are. Make them wait while you Google them on your phone to see if they are a legit news source or ask to get back to them at a later time after you have done your research on them,” Hoak said. “You do not have to talk to the press and they cannot record you or take photos without your permission on your property. If they’re not legit press, don’t talk to them. Your town will not suffer if you choose not to talk with every single news source that wants a story.”

The residents of East Palestine also took media coverage into their own hands, recording what they were experiencing with their phones. These videos were being shared all over the world. Facebook groups for East Palestine worked as a source of communication for people in the village as well as for people further away.

SHARING THEIR STORIES

Shelby Ann Walker lives at “ground zero” on EastTaggert Street in a row with five other houses. She had the remnants of train cars that exploded during the derailment butted up against her back yard. She received multiple requests for interviews.

“I had one reporter leave his muddy shoes on my porch as he went through the back yard to collect a sample of the water that was gathering in trenches right next to the railroad,” Walker said.

“A good journalist with proper training would not trespass on to private property. They know the laws and limits for a story. Collecting samples while claiming or falsely representing themselves to be a member of the press to obtain information is not only illegal, it degrades those that are trained professionals in the field,” Hoak said.

Walker and her daughter Desiree have taken things into their own hands to garner the attention of Norfolk Southern, village officials and the EPA.

“The only people that have been down to my house have been the media. I have had to reach out myself to get someone to come do something. My family is sick — we have toddlers and a child with autism. We had to come back here to live. We had no choice. What place is going to take a family of 11 and a large dog? No one,” Walker said. “Where are we supposed to go? Where is the help we need? Why hasn’t Norfolk come here to speak to me, to have our family relocated? Are they even concerned with our safety? Our health? Some of the burned out train cars were right behind my house along with piles of loosely tarped contaminated soil. No one seemed to care until we started talking to the press. I’ve been on all sorts of shows, The Today Show, CNN, but you’re the first local media to talk with me.”

Walker was also one of 20 residents offered, on camera, a white envelope containing $1,000 by content creator Benny Johnson.

Walker said, “I was sitting down at the kitchen table — just completely done with the day– but I end up getting up to see who it is — and there’s this strange man at my door just telling me he wants to give me money. He said he was from Tampa and people just wanted to help out. I told him at first multiple times I didn’t need it. I didn’t know who he was with. Was it a prank? But, I thanked him for the envelope and went back inside with it.”

Earnheardt explains that content creators have heavily edited videos designed to attract quick “likes” and comments.

“One type (of content creator) that you may see often on social media are the videos featuring the creators searching out the homeless and filming themselves giving out money. Many of these are staged. Few are legit. They’re paying for sources, which is unethical. It appears like they’re being given the money for free, but they’ve just been paid for their story,” he said.

“There’s also the matter of content creators story chasing for their own fame and likes. That’s not the reason to become a reporter or a journalist. That’s not what this profession is about; it’s about what the people you are interviewing are going through. Our job is report fairly and report the facts. Not speculation. Not rumors,” Earnheardt explained.

‘MEDIA BURNOUT’

Tyler Holzer has garnered criticism on social media for speaking out about the deaths of some animals he rescues and cares for following the derailment, including several foxes.

After suffering what Hoak calls “media burnout,” he directed interviews to his mother, Mindy Holzer.

“My son has had a large social media following for quite some time now and is respected in the animal rescue community. Because one of his rescue friends started a GoFundMe for him that he didn’t ask for, people are upset and calling him out. Caring for animals is also a financial commitment. He lost his job because of the derailment. Now his days are filled with administering medications to his animals and constant vet visits. No one from Norfolk or the EPA has talked with my family,” Mindy Holzer said.

Hoak said media burnout is when people begin to shut down and no longer want to talk to the media despite new findings, or for simple follow-ups.

“That’s also one of the factors most fly-by night story chasers might not think to do — follow up with their source to see if anything has changed. Not only take their story and run, never to be heard from again, but to show them you legitimately care about their well-being,” Hoak said. “If you have talked to the media repeatedly, turn away interviews if you find yourself repeating the same story. You can always mention another person that could also use media attention on a similar matter.”

The Holzer family did just that and mentioned on Facebook others in town that could use help getting their stories out, which led to interviews with other residents and business owners.

“There is good to come out of this media experience, though. It is forcing Norfolk Southern to be held accountable by the residents affected,” Hoak said.

Her final advice for residents?

“Don’t be afraid to talk to the media. Good stories do come from your efforts. The media needs you to speak up. Our job is to be fair and shed light on your issues.”

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