Pakistan: Journalists contracted with Covid-19 concerned about measures news organisations are taking

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June 4, 2020-- Over 50 journalists in Pakistan reporting on the frontline amid the pandemic have tested positive for Covid-19. With many journalists choosing to remain anonymous and not disclose their names, it is clear that better measures should be taken by news organizations both in providing the journalists with proper protective equipment and necessary mental health support.

For journalists working across the country, individual news organizations have issued guidelines regarding social distancing and protective equipment while reporting, but implementation on the ground has been inconsistent.

"We are going into the field in the same way," said one journalist in Quetta, speaking on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals from his employer. "We are working in the same way, in the field and in the office. We are contacting the public in the same way."

The journalist in the interview with Al-Jazeera said guidelines were in place but were not being enforced or followed by many journalists. 

Reporter Without Borders issued a list of recommendations to Pakistani news organizations last month which include no longer requiring television reporters to report live from places with large crowds, restricting coverage of press conferences where large numbers may gather and avoiding commissioning reports from hospitals. "Everything must be put in place so that they [journalists] can work from home and avoid any potential source of infection," RSF said in THE statement.

Journalist Tanzeela Mazhar who spoke to CFWIJ today said the following: 

"Situation in Pakistan is not very good regarding dealing with [the] pandemic. Journalists are facing problems to go out and report. As far as I know, there are hardly any facilities provided by news organizations. I am working as a freelancer so I arranged all necessary care and facilities myself. COVID reporting in Pakistan has been very insensitive since I myself am going through this ailment I can identify problems in Covid-19 reporting. A lot of misinformation is being spread through media and social media which resulted in a more stressful situation for patients and their families. The emotional and psychological impact of Covid-19 is way more serious than we thought it would be. Living in isolation with the fear that you might affect anyone in the family is not easy to deal with."

CFWIJ is saddened to hear the positive test results of women journalists within its network and wishes them a speedy recovery as well as calling out on news organizations to take the necessary precautions.