Reporters group urges politicians to reveal Covid-19 status

 

COVID-19 | Media advocacy group Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) has urged politicians who are being quarantined after campaigning in Sabah to reveal whether they had tested positive or negative for Covid-19.

This came after New Straits Times Press Berhad said one of its employees who returned from covering the Sabah state election subsequently tested positive for the coronavirus.

Geramm said it is aware of concerns raised by reporters amid the rising number of Covid-19 cases and urged for cooperation from all parties to be aware of their health status in addition to practising self-restraint to prevent the spread of the disease.

This is especially for national leaders inviting the press to provide coverage.

“It cannot be denied that the recent busyness of national leaders has indirectly increased the risk of infection, especially if there is a history of travel to districts that have recorded a high number of cases.

“Political leaders returning from Sabah and undergoing quarantine are urged to update their health status, whether they are negative or positive for Covid-19," said the group in a statement today.

Geramm urged politicians to reveal their health status on social media to keep reporters and members of the public informed.

It said if there is any doubt regarding their health status, an explanation should be given so that media practitioners who are at risk as close contacts may take preventive action.

Separately, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) also voiced concern over reports that a media practitioner had contracted Covid-19, and reminded reporters to always abide with the government’s standard operating procedures for preventing the spread of the disease.

“With the rising number of cases, the NUJ wishes to remind all media practitioners to always wear face masks while providing coverage, in addition to using sanitisers and maintaining personal hygiene.

“Remember, we are frontliners and each of us has a key role in providing information to the public and in looking after the nation,” it said. - Mkini