COVID-19: What journalists should know about reporting a pandemic

Lekan Otufodunrin joined in a webinar by Global Investigative Journalists Network (GIJN) on — Staying Safe: How to Report A Pandemic which had Dr Courtney Radsch, Advocacy Director of Committee to Protect Journalists and Dr Richard Dawood, Medical Director, Fleet Street Clinic as speakers on Thursday, April 23, 2020

He shares the highlights of the advice for journalists covering COVID-19 globally.

Don’t put yourself in direct risk situations.

Except it is absolutely necessary, avoid going into places where you could be at risk or have physical contact with people you need to interview. You must adopt innovative ways of getting the information you need including images and videos.

Medical workers can help you take in your equipment, like cameras to take pictures into the hospital. Use long lenses and microphones.

You need to maintain real distance between yourself and people who are infected. Personal protection should be taken seriously. Use facemasks properly and follow all safety and protective procedures wherever you go.

Don’t take the risk of thinking you know how to use the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  It may be hard to get it right.  The fact that you are allowed to go into a hospital or Isolation centre without taking all the necessary precautions does not mean you should.

Should journalists go to the hospital at all? No.

You can cover the story you want to report about coronavirus just as effectively as you should without going to the hospital.

There are so many aspects of the coronavirus pandemic that do not require that you put yourself at risk health-wise.

Be your own safety police.

READ ALSO: Journalists should do practice what they are reporting

Take necessary hygiene measures

Try to limit the equipment you take to assignments to reduce possible contamination. Use mobile cameras and other gadgets that can easily be disinfected.

Make sure your devices are fully charged so you don’t have to be looking for unsafe places to charge your gadgets.

Your clothes and other wears should be properly washed when you get home.

Remember where you have been to and wash your hands before touching your face or other parts of your body through which you can be infected.

Have the right kind of sanitiser to use when you need to and stay home if you are not feeling well.

Update your knowledge about the virus

Keep abreast of new developments about the virus since it is relatively a new disease and many new findings are emerging.

Beware of the new laws and regulations

There are increasing attempts to criminalise journalism.

Know the legal context you are working in as there are new laws in force, including executive orders and quarantine laws.

Some security officials may in some instances claim ignorance that journalists are among essential work professionals exempted from the lockdown and restriction of movements.

There are also regulations about fake news publications which can be used against journalists if you publish anything that is not correct at this time.

Take care of your digital security

Because many journalists are working remotely online, you should be aware of increasing cases of phishing, circulation of misinformation and malware on websites that are sources of information.

Journalists should be more careful about mails they are opening and links they are clicking to check for information you need on COVID-19 and other reports.

There are many malicious actors out there who may be targeting journalists. The surveillance regime is such that all kinds of methods are being used to track people and can be applied to journalists for ulterior motives.

Censorship is on the rise

There are all kinds of censorship limiting access to some official information and statistics. Government officials may not want to speak on some issues they should.

Beware of non-official sources and restriction of movements. Know the content of the quarantine laws so that you are not accused of violating it.

Know the documents you are supposed to have to move around if you must.