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The role of the Journalists cannot be over-emphasised. Aside from the
duties of getting the informative, educative and entertaining sides of
every story, the journalist goes as far as analysing and setting the
agenda for public debates, using hardcore facts and human angle stories.
This is done at a great risk to life and family , especially in times of
war, conflict, natural disasters, political and social insurrection and
pandemics, among others.
The world is currently faced with an overwhelming crisis called the
Corona Virus or COVID-19. With about 577,621 contacts and 26,448 deaths
and still counting (according to www.worldometers.info), the virus has
left a devastating effect on human interactions, the global stock
markets, social gatherings, work activities, general health conditions
and a host of others. These effects, as a result, called for a
restraining order of schools, offices, business outlets, markets, places
of worship and other meeting points, to remain closed until further
notice. In short, the society is on lockdown remedy.
In light of this, there are some people or occupations that are exempted
from the shutdown due to the nature of the jobs. These jobs are called
“essential services or jobs”. When a job is classified as an essential
service, it simply means that the job, by the jurisdiction of the law of
the state concerned, has the mandate to operate its services because of
how important it is for daily living. In other words, these jobs are
very necessary for citizens; without them or an alternative, daily
living will be very difficult. Such services are in the areas of media
and communications, water supply, waste management, power and energy
supply, food services, healthcare, logistics, paramilitary (road safety
officers, banking, fire service, the police, etc), and so on.
Being one of the essential services, the media constantly keeps the
public updated with local and global trends, including public opinions.
Nigeria is among the countries hit by the virus. Currently, the nation
has recorded over 100 cases and still counting with a death thus far.
Since the outbreak of the virus, many offices, businesses and venues for
social gatherings have been shut down following the order from the
Federal Government yet media organisations, like the radio, newspaper
and television stations, as well as, new media stations, are presently
open, even till this very moment.
Despite the ravaging spread of paranoia and despair attributed to the
pandemic, journalists are on the go to keep us abreast on the Corona
Virus. Hmm…m, how far with the Nigerian journalist? According to
Twitter’s Global Lead for Legal, Policy, Trust and Safety, Vijaya Gadde,
she reasoned that: “Right now, every journalist is a COVID-19
journalist. From the stories of healthcare workers on the frontlines to
the analyses of the real human and economic cost of the pandemic,
reporters around the world are still writing, still exposing themselves
to harm, still giving us the facts”.
As part of the courageous individuals waged on the fight against this
deadly disease, it is required that a journalist follows these two
steps, prevention and action. The questions to be asked are: To what
lengths are journalists taking to avoid the infection, more
specifically, while in the line of duty? Should you be allowed to carry
out your duties at this time if pregnant or ill? These questions handle
the ‘prevention step’. Meanwhile, in disseminating stories (that is, the
action step) relating to the pandemic, what do you write? Are they
factual, balanced and objective, or stories full of sensationalised and
exaggerated contents to make your papers sell like hot Okpa (Bambara
seed pudding) in the morning? When should the journalist be humane in
his or her reportage? Should journalistic ethics come to play here?
Preventive standards must be applied as a journalist before, during and
even after a field report. What are these measures? wash your hands
regularly with soap and water for about 20 seconds, or use an
alcohol-based sanitiser in the absence of soap and water. Use a face
mask if you are ill. Maintain the “no-touch” forms of greetings from now
on; you can wave, bow, genuflect, do the namaste, the “elbow shake” but
don’t give handshakes, hugs or kisses. Also, maintain at least two
metres (five feet) physical distance between yourself and anyone who is
coughing or sneezing (and for the love of all things sanitary, don’t
interview such a person). Reporters should try to avoid crowded areas
while on field reporting. Furthermore, reporters are to stay at home if
down with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Have
the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)’s 24/7 emergency numbers
and do not self-medicate (Please! Abeg! Biko! Edakun! Don Allah!). It
will be advisable for media houses to let their pregnant employees stay
at home for the time being. Media houses, also, should provide face
masks and sanitisers for staff in the office or on the field. Routine
cleaning of high contact areas such as toilets, door handles,
telephones, elevators, etc., in media offices, must be of optimum level.
So, the use of bleaches, wipes and disinfectants will perpetually become
a daily affair.
Some organisations have taken it a notch higher to check that
journalists are cared for during this perilous time, via cash donations.
Recently, social networking and microblogging company, Twitter, gave out
the sum of $1million evenly to two NGOs, the Committee to Protect
Journalists (CPJ) and the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF),
that are concerned about journalists’ welfares. According to the
company, the donation was done to appreciate journalists “that are
working tirelessly to uphold the fundamental values of a free press
during this pandemic”. Gestures such as this will go a long way in
protecting our journalists and reassuring them that we acknowledge the
sacrifices they make.
But more importantly, the major concern is the manner of reportage since
the wake of the virus and the pandemonia following suit. As earlier
said, a reporter must deviate from writing exaggerated, outlandish
stories and using sensationalised headlines. It is necessary to find a
balance as a reporter. Although a journalist may want to pacify the
readers, it is equally required not to write anything (though factual)
that will instil or aggravate fear among the public. Remember that the
spread occurs by the minute in some areas. Therefore, it is always
important that the figures of casualties are accurate and updated; also,
places, names of spokespersons and other information should be correct.
Explain scenarios, figures and its implication in the simplest of terms;
this way, people from all educational backgrounds will understand. In
addition, racial remarks must be avoided. For example, although the
virus began late last year in the Wuhan province of China, some news,
tweets and other forms of reports have called it, “the Chinese virus”
plus other aspersions which may put Chinese citizens to ridicule, hate
and discrimination from other nationals. In writing a report in
connection to Covid-19 and the impacts on people, it is imperative to
get inputs from every side: from the government to health personnel,
students, private and public sector workers, entrepreneurs, taxi
drivers, hawkers, those in self-isolation, the rich, the poor…virtually,
everyone, to get a thorough, fair opinion of the public about the virus
and how everyone is affected. Furthermore, a journalist should always
refer to authoritative sources such as WHO, NCDC and Ministry of Health,
for verifiable and authentic information. Finally, reporters should
guard their mental and emotional health. Although bravery is needed in
this gallant profession, cases such as the pandemic, the pitiable
plights of infected persons have a way of showing just how vulnerable we
can be in such happenings; thus, arousing the human side of the
journalist, which may take a negative toll on them, mentally and
emotionally.
Leaving with a concluding remark from Vijaya Gadde: “COVID-19 has been
with us for months but the power of the virus is now being felt on all
corners of the globe. We’re witnessing real-time public conversation on
an issue that connects us all on a core human level and our purpose has
never been stronger. We will continue to work with our partners as the
crisis evolves and are grateful for their journalistic leadership and
commitment to the power of the pen”.
Once again for emphasis, the “Essential Journalist” both at home and in
the diaspora, is not immune to the pandemic. Therefore, there is need
for life insurance for Journalists involved in the day to day coverage
of this pandemic while government at all levels must spare some thoughts
for the essential journalist, who goes the whole nine yards to feed you
and me with up-to-date information as the global lockdown persists due
to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gabriel O. Odu and Deborah T. Anaelechi
Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit,
NiDCOM, Abuja.
30th March 2020.
