Asian governments need crises spokespeople.

• Author: Charlton, Peter

One thing is obvious from the recent spate of world crises, and that is the importance of calmed reasoned voices being heard above the hyperbole.

Clearly many of these events are deeply traumatic to society, and it is the media's role to pick up that trauma and report it honestly. But like all things with the media, a balance is needed. When balance is absent, many of the problems become more intense.

And so it is with SARS. It is a serious virus with a high mortality rate for a Corona Virus. But the lack of reasoned statements and debate emanating from the...