September 11 attacks: The vital role of radio in crisis coverage

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, reflections emerge on the critical role of radio broadcasting during the crisis. As landline and early cellular networks in New York City became overwhelmed by high call volumes, radio remained a vital communication link for the public.

Harvey Nagler, former Vice President of CBS News Radio, recalled the immense difficulty of managing news coverage during the event. Nagler, who had previously managed newsrooms during the 1993 World Trade Center car bombing, noted that the scale and horrific nature of the 9/11 attacks presented unprecedented leadership challenges.

Personal accounts from the morning of the attacks describe the initial confusion in New York City, with residents witnessing smoke plumes from the towers before realizing the magnitude of the plane crashes through television and radio reports.