The National Association of Broadcasters has created an online Coronavirus Response Toolkit to help broadcasters cover COVID-19 developments accurately and effectively.
NAB added new downloadable COVID-19 public service announcements Thursday. The PSAs are available in both English and Spanish, and scripts are available to stations who want their own talent to read the information.
Additionally, the toolkit features editorial guidelines, including lists of trusted resources and social media accounts to ensure stations point listeners in the right direction for COVID-19 information.
“As COVID-19 impacts everyday life, it is important for broadcasters to communicate credible news and information to keep people safe and informed,” NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith said in an announcement about the coronavirus toolkit. “I encourage all broadcasters to utilize resources in the toolkit to help their local communities during this critical time.”
The toolkit also includes information to help stations mitigate coronavirus–related staffing concerns and to create internal plans to cope with disruptions related to the pandemic.
The NAB also aborted plans for the April NAB Show Wednesday due to the coronavirus spread. The association has not yet announced whether it will reschedule the event. Some groups who had planned colocated events, such as Nautel’s NUG@NAB and PBS’ TechCon have cancelled their events, while others are formulating their own responses and deciding whether or not to postpone.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control’s coronavirus page for more information and the latest updates on the U.S.’ mitigation strategy. Learn more about social distancing and how it can help stop and/or slow the spread of diseases, per CDC recommendations.
