Immediately after a widespread disaster, most people affected by it can't access TV news broadcasts. As a non-scientist, if I were in a catastrophic situation, after locating missing family members my first concerns would be necessary medical care for them and myself and urgent supplies. Then I'd want to know what to expect next - aftershocks, more tsunamis, etc. Immediate safety would be more important initially than hearing where and how far the fault ruptured or even where it began.

After urgent needs are met and power restored would be soon enough for me to ponder scientists' explanations, so some lag time in broadcasting those specifics seems acceptable. Relatives beyond the affected area want to know if family is safe. Unaffected persons who are curious about the science of what happened and where it might happen in the future will read or hear accurate answers from scientists when the news agencies locate them. Stations could be prohibited from broadcasting any news of a disaster until all facts are available and fully explained, but in these days owners of cell phones and home video cameras also spread incomplete information.

Mary C.