Building media resilience in Central America: Case studies from Guatemala and Honduras

In a region where hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes routinely disrupt lives and infrastructure, the media in Central America are more than informational: they are lifesaving. Radio broadcasters and news outlets, not only deliver urgent updates during crises but also shape public understanding of risk, hold institutions accountable, and foster a culture of preparedness.

Through a UNESCO project implemented in 2025 in partnership with the Inter-American Press Association, two leading media organisations, Prensa Libre in Guatemala and El Heraldo in Honduras, are developing institutional Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans (DPRPs). Their efforts demonstrate how strategic planning and international support can turn hard-earned lessons into lasting resilience.

It’s about protocols as much as it is about people. UNESCO’s capacity-building turns chaos into clarity. The media teams can move quicker, keep their footing, and deliver the news people count on in tough times.

Mirta Lourenço: Chief for Media Development and Media in Emergencies at UNESCO

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Guatemala: Prensa Libre’s institutional plan

For Prensa Libre, one of Guatemala’s most consumed and respected news outlets, past disasters have tested the newsroom’s agility and resolve. “They increased our audience’s demand for timely, reliable information,” recalls Alex Fernando Rojas, Head of News. During recent emergencies, the team pivoted quickly to digital platforms, coordinated remotely, and maintained essential reporting. These improvised measures kept the public informed, but they also exposed critical vulnerabilities.

Rojas explains that while the team adapted well to remote work thanks to existing emergency protocols, the lack of contingency content and backup systems complicated the response. He notes challenges of limited time, disrupted communication, and high demand for immediate updates. The newsroom’s ability to deliver under pressure underscored the importance of institutional planning in non-emergency times.

With UNESCO’s support, Prensa Libre is now developing a comprehensive DPRP that formalizes roles and duties, secures communication channels, and strengthens editorial policies for disaster and environmental reporting. “We hope to be better equipped with contingency plans and resources, ensuring our team’s safety and continuity of operations in future emergencies,” says Rojas. The plan is helping the newsroom improve coordination with local authorities and peer media, ensuring that coverage reaches those most at risk.

While the plan is still in progress, Prensa Libre is laying the groundwork for a newsroom able to withstand disruption and continue serving the public with clarity, speed, and integrity.

Honduras: How past crises helped El Heraldo shape resilience

In Honduras, El Heraldo’s commitment to disaster coverage is rooted in difficult experience. The devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which claimed the life of a staff member, left a lasting imprint on the organisation.

That event represented one of the biggest operational challenges in our media’s history: interruptions in communications, logistical difficulties for teams on the ground, and the need to rapidly adapt to high-risk environments.

Since then, El Heraldo has steadily strengthened its emergency protocols. During more recent storms – Eta, Iota, and Sara – the newsroom implemented a short-term response plan that ensured continuity across print, digital, and television platforms. Staff were relocated from vulnerable areas, teleworking was promoted, and contingency measures were put in place to address power and internet outages. “We managed to keep the population informed despite all the limitations left by the storms,” Carrasco explains. “The commitment to public service, verification of information, and closeness with the audience reflected credibility and social commitment.”

Still, the outlet faced challenges. The absence of detailed protocols for field reporters and limited coordination with relief agencies made it difficult to respond as quickly and safely as needed. Carrasco acknowledges that many disasters occurred suddenly and overwhelmed the outlet’s initial operational capacity.

Through training in risk management, safety protocols, and crisis communication, the organisation has developed a formal DPRP that includes operational continuity plans and defines staff roles before, during, and after emergencies. “The support of UNESCO not only strengthens the capabilities and resilience of the newsroom but also consolidates us as a reliable source of information in critical moments,” Carrasco affirms.

The impact extends beyond logistics and operations. New editorial policies now promote ethical, evidence-based, and human-centred disaster coverage. Digital tools for real-time monitoring and data visualisation have expanded the reach and depth of reporting. Strategic partnerships with the Honduran Red Cross, Copeco (Permanent Contingency Commission of Honduras), and community leaders ensure faster access to verified information and amplify the voices of affected populations.

Carrasco, who leads El Heraldo Ambiente, emphasises the human dimension of data journalism: “Behind the numbers are people – victims, survivors, and stories that need to be told with empathy and responsibility.” His words reflect the newsroom’s ongoing effort to cover climate and disaster stories ethically and effectively.

Lessons in preparedness

At Prensa Libre and El Heraldo, preparedness proved to be more than just a technical exercise, it is an imperative. They learned that prior planning, even if basic, can make the difference between disruption and continuity. Clear protocols, secure communication systems, and defined roles are essential to maintaining operations and protecting staff and assets.

Both organisations recognized the importance of forging partnerships with authorities and humanitarian groups to guarantee access to verified information and build public trust. While technology already played a transformative role, they identified persistent needs for more resources for high-risk field reporting, specialized training (including mental health), and stronger regional networks for collaboration.

Today, Prensa Libre and El Heraldo are far better prepared to face future emergencies. Their evolving DPRPs are helping them institutionalise resilience and deepen their public service missions. For Prensa Libre, the next steps include finalising its preparedness plan and strengthening newsroom coordination. For El Heraldo, priorities lie in expanding technological resources, deepening staff training, and building regional collaboration networks.

Their message to other media organisations is clear: do not wait for a crisis to plan your response. “Preparation saves lives, protects staff, and ensures that information reaches the public when it is most needed” Carrasco advises.

Their stories stand as a testament to the power of robust media in building more informed and resilient societies across Central America.