Atlanta's Caribbean Newspaper Covers Earthquake

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – Atlanta's Haitian and broader Caribbean community continue waiting for news about loved ones in the wake of Tuesday's earthquake. As WABE's Jim Burress reports, one of the community's main news sources had to stop its presses and refocus its coverage.

Atlanta's twice-monthly Caribbean Star was already at the publisher when Tuesday's earthquake hit Haiti, says marketing manager William Noland.

"If it had to happen, it happened at a time when we could report on it. If it'd happened next week, obviously we would've been flat-footed and not been able to do that until February the 1st."

Because of communication issues, the paper is relying on wire services for stories and pictures for now.

"We are going to be sending a person in the future when that person can gain access to what he needs to see and the people he needs to talk to in Haiti. At this point in time, that's impossible to do."

Noland says the Caribbean Star is focusing its local coverage on how readers can access information from the island and how can they assist those affected.

It hits newsstands Saturday.

Jim Burress, WABE News.