I think a sad reality to remember about, for example news crews accessing accomodations, is that even if that were not the case, there would not be enough safe accomodations for those in need anyhow. Security is a huge concern for all the haitian people at a time like this, it was a problem before all of this tragedy and now desperation is surging. But foreigners even more so will be security risks as they can easily be targetted. If there was no safe place for them, I doubt they would be allowed to enter the country as the police etc have too much on their plates to begin with, without having to preserve the safety of relief aid, reporters etc.
Yet, without offering a safe place for these people, we in the world would have no access to information. We wouldn't see the stories that prompt us to send the aid and the donations so needed for the people suffering right now.
I do know that when you hear of Sanjay Gupta sticking around when all the other doctors and nurses left (mistakenly thinking they were ordered evacuated) he stayed behind even when he believed there were security threats to his location. That tells me that even if CNN had arrangements for a nice cushy luxery hotel accomodations, it wasn't his choice and it wasn't a place for him to escape. He toughed it out on the street and serviced the ill. I admire that.
I also have to say that if people are sending tens of thousands in equipment to send out the news, I can see why networks want a secure location. The liklihood is, the luxery hotels are probably standing simply because the groups that built them had an ability to build them to a decent standard, allowing them to withstand the quake and aftershocks. That in itself would make them a viable base of operations for news agencies and doctors etc. Their rolls there at times (reporters) might seem self serving in that hte networks get good money for broadcasting. However the world needs these images to fuel us to reach out with support.
I was heartbroken to hear that young girl who was saved, had passed away. I can see how she would fall through the cracks. She touched our lives watching, because we could see her story unfold. Yet all across that nation, hundreds of thousands of children and adults are desperate for care, no different than the little girl. Although I can see how it happens, it didn't make my heart hurt for her loss any less
So much tragedy. I watch a bit, and then I change the channel. I've made a donation and we decided as a family to make a donation each pay day for the next while.