How journalists should stay safe while covering #COVID-19

In order to keep the people informed on COVID-19 and efforts made to combat the pandemic, journalists worldwide risk their health and safety daily. Not much consideration is however often given by journalists on how to protect themselves.

There have been cases of some journalists who have been infected with the virus, while some have died.

In a webinar organized by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) on “Journalism Safety on the Frontline: How to Protect Yourself While #CoveringCOVID”, renowned Egyptian journalist and journalism safety trainer Abeer Saady, and the Dart Center Asia Pacific Director Dr. Cait McMahon, joined ICFJ’s Global Director of Research, Dr. Julie Posetti to explore how journalists can protect themselves physically, psychologically, and digitally while #CoveringCOVID.

Justina Asishana of The Nation Newspaper in Nigeria writes on the observations and suggestions of the speakers at the session.

According to Posetti, journalists risk their safety and lives while trying to bring information to the people and as ‘key people’, they are always on the timeline.

Saady noted that journalists are not exempted from being infected by the virus and also have to worry about their family, financial issue, and depression which have become the lot of many journalists this period.

She pointed out that a lot of journalists are losing their jobs and because of that, others are being pushed into embarking on dangerous zones which ordinarily, they would not go, just to avert a termination of their employment.

Saady also said that most journalists are not protected because getting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is difficult as there are acute shortages even in developed countries for medical personnel.

Speaking on psychological pressures which journalists are facing, the Dart Center Asia Pacific Director said the concern is not knowing when they can be infected on duty and infecting their family and others.

She noted that despite the great reportage about COVID-19 being seen by people, there is evidence of great distress and anxiety by journalists.

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

How should journalists respond to these risks about their safety and well-being?

• It is important to acknowledge that you are feeling depressed and anxiety – According to McMahon, it is not a moral weakness to feel these reactions. These are the reactions people feel during this period and as journalists who see a lot of disturbing cases, it is not a weakness for you to have these feelings. It is a step in the right direction if you can acknowledge you are feeling these emotions.
• Social Support and Connection is vital at the moment – now, everyone is working remotely. Gone are the days of close contact, so it is necessary to reach out to your colleagues daily, check on them. Social connection is vital at the moment.
• Adequate planning – plan your day and what you will be doing. This will give you a sense of mastery, without a plan, one can go through the day without a definite sense of direction.
• Separation and Demarcation have work time, social time, time for physical activity. There is a need to have time for them so that there will be no clash to time.
• Protective Gears – if they are not provided, journalists should try to get their own protective gears because according to McMahon, “there is a lot we cannot control, but we can control our own space and protection. It will go a long way in boosting our confidence in the way we carry out our job.”

Responsibilities of Employers and Media organizations in responding to Journalists safety and well being

Employers also play a key role in safeguarding the physical and psychological wellbeing of the journalists.

Saady outlined the role of media organizations, managers and editors saying :

• Don’t send everyone to the newsroom – keep the people working from home. If they do have to go to work, have a shift plan, and ensure everyone maintains social distancing.
• Equipment – clean the equipment and surfaces regularly. Provide equipment that is clean and train the staff on how to deal and take care of the equipment this period.
• Be Ethical – continue to respect the privacy of people and don’t send your journalists to embark on reports that will make them do unethical things.
• Also refrain from making unethical offers to journalists, which according to Saady involves some editors enticing some journalists to engage in dangerous assignments or visiting places where their health and safety can be compromised.
• Stop sacrificing female journalists, especially mothers when trying to cut down on staff or push them to do unethical reports.

McMahon said that media employers, managers, and editors need to become trauma literate to enable them to understand what it entails and how people can deal with it. Her advice to media managers and Editors include;

• Don’t see anything psychological as a weakness. Editors should try to look for signs of burnout, anxiety, stress, depression, and breakdown in their staff. They should understand that some people will always feel trauma.
• Become aware of the trauma journalists go through this season and allow safe spaces where journalists can talk about what they are going through without the fear that they will be sanctioned or victimized.
• Encourage journalists to be more ethical in carrying out their reports.
• Media Managers and Editors need to understand issues about COVID-19 especially as it affects journalists.
• Provide protective gear for journalists who have to be in the field to report.

Saady added a word for press unions around the world saying that it is time for them to rise up and put pressure on the employers to provide protective gears and test kits for journalists. “This is the time where the unions have to protect and back the journalists and in countries where the press unions are not strong, find a support group who will be able to give support this period.”

Digital Safety

These days, everyone is digitally addicted as a lot of communications are now done digitally due to social distancing.  Abeer and McMahon explained that being online most often has made journalists vulnerable as Facebook and WhatsApp are being hacked, while harassment and trolling online has increased a notch higher than before.

They then advised that –

• Newsrooms need to create a support group to know when their staff are being attacked, harassed, or trolled online.
• Journalists need to take advantage of online courses to enable them to protect themselves digitally.
• There is a need to be extra vigilant now while online
• Journalists also need to plan what to do when they are attacked. It is important for journalists to plan as if they are going to be attacked, have what to do or what to say when the attack eventually comes.

Saady also advised journalists on the need to be extra cautious this period. “Your safety is your boundary. You are mostly responsible for Your Own safety. Coronavirus can happen to anyone and for it not to happen to you, you have to take steps towards it. It is your attitude, it is the distance you keep that can save your life. The world is changing and as journalists, you should go with the change. Also, know your rights because it will go a long way to help you this period.”