by Ylldes Mustafa
“We’re all human,” is how Ron Mott, news correspondent for NBC and MSNBC, responded when I asked, “What do we do when we are faced with the task of covering a story like the tragic mass shooting in Parkland, FL or a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina?”
Tragedies like these, and the many before it, have a lasting effect on their community as well as on the nation itself. When these tragedies occur, reporters rush to the scene to capture what they can on video, talk to those involved and get as many details as possible from authorities. In the midst of it all, reporters may seem to take on the behaviors of a robot as they put on a brave face to cover the day’s grievances and give the public the knowledge it deserves about the unfortunate event that has just taken place.
Mott, a very seasoned and award-winning journalist, has covered numerous tragedies ranging from the catastrophes of Hurricane Katrina to the disaster that was the BP oil spill on the Gulf Coast and says it is important to know that these people are victims of horrible occurrences.
“The first thing to remember,” Mott said, “is that the people you are interviewing, are people. We have this sort of unfortunate term that we use in broadcasting to describe people we interview as characters. I don’t know how that originated, but I’ve been a reporter for 20 years and I almost cringe myself when I use it. But, I think the thing to remember, especially after a tragedy like that [Hurricane Katrina] is that you’re talking to a human being, not a character.”
Mott is no stranger to the arduous task of having to confront the victims of these misfortunes. His coverage on natural disasters alone, such as hurricanes Katrina, Irma and Maria, have proved to be a journalistic challenge, but has distinguished ways in how to mediate stories like this.
“These people are going to be part of a story,” Mott said, “but, again, they’re people, and I think when you bring your own humanity to a story like that you are going to get better interviews as a result because they know that you are a journalist who can truly relate to them.”
Building trust between himself and his sources has always been a key factor for Mott when he ventures out on daunting stories. As one can imagine, the thought of running up to a hurricane victim with a camera and microphone in hand after their life has been turned upside is not the most ideal situation to find yourself in, but Mott offers some words of advice to journalists who find themselves in similar situations.
“You have to remember what they [victims] have gone through,” Mott said. “While you’re there to do a job, put yourself, and always think about being in their shoes at that moment. The approach is always important no matter who you’re talking to and I always try to bring a level of empathy with my approach to people and show them respect.”
Mott’s level of compassion and understanding for his sources during these trying times has proven to be an effective measure of success and his career in journalism is an example of that.
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