Protect media from Covid-19 by halting in-person briefings, gov’t urged

CORONAVIRUS | The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has urged the government to temporarily stop all face-to-face press conferences to reduce the risk of Covid-19 contagion among members of the media.

Should such conferences need to be held, the centre suggested that strict sanitation and social distancing measures be enforced.

In a statement tonight, CIJ executive director Wathshlah Naidu pointed to how even the Health Ministry had not been implementing such measures when dealing with the media.

“CIJ calls on the Health Ministry to enforce guidelines that would temporarily halt all face-to-face press conferences by cabinet ministers and state authorities in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the possible risk of infection among journalists.

“We view with concern that press conferences organised by the ministry appear to ignore its directives on social distancing, which call for deferment of large meetings and events.

“We note that this was still the case during yesterday's daily coronavirus briefing by the Health Minister (Dr Adham Baba) in Putrajaya,” she said.

Aside from the minister, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had also addressed the media at yesterday evening’s briefing at the ministry’s headquarters.

Wathshlah encouraged the ministry to continue issuing press statements promptly and streaming its press conferences on social media platforms like Facebook.

“Such measures will encourage more journalists to work remotely instead of attending such events in person. This, in turn, reduces the risk of infecting media practitioners,” she added.

Ways to avoid contagion

Should there be no other choice but to hold a face-to-face press conference, Wathshlah proposed several ways to mitigate a spread:

1. Observe the six-foot rule (1.8 metre) between media and person giving the press conference.

2. Journalists and government officials should observe the social distancing rule between each other.

3. Journalists to sit one chair away from each other.

4. Provide hand sanitisers and face masks for all.

“It is hoped that other ministers, state leaders, political parties, associations and event organisers (will) abide by such guidelines.

“However, the Health Ministry must spearhead such an initiative first,” she added.  - Mkini