With
4.81 million cases worldwide, Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc across the
globe. From under-developed nations to the developed ones, the novel virus has
traversed beyond national boundaries. Whether you are in a part of the globe
where the sun rises, or somewhere where it sets, the concoction of fear &
loss is just too high.
As
the medical workforce continues to wage war on the front lines against
overwhelming odds, each life saved is a battle worthy of its tale, and each
life lost is as anguishing as the last. There is another brotherhood of man,
waging a very different battle, but fighting the same war. They are the
journalists who continue to report live news from the frontlines itself.
But this is not an enemy one can see. It creeps in stealthily and spreads too with equal fidelity. Needless to say then, that the people who bring us news are no less susceptible to the virus than the healthcare personnel. They continue to cover media related news from hotspots to green zones, from state borders where migrants are flocking in thousands, to hospitals where the healthcare system is continuously being overrun.
Curbing false media related news
Coronavirus has spread at an alarming rate. But, misinformation about the pandemic spreads at an equal pace. The virus is deadly, but misinformation & fake news is as harmful. This is where our reporters ply their trades, keeping the public aware of the latest developments, government directives, and expert views that go a long way to tackle the present health crisis.
News reporting from Ground Zero
These
journalists report news from the epicenter of rural & urban red zones,
risking their lives from the virus under the scorching summer heat only to keep
us informed about the daily progress of this war. With the shutting down of businesses
and an entire country under lockdown, it also means that several of these correspondents
face pay cuts in the face of the looming economic crisis that ensued.
Media
houses failed to gauge the severity of the issue and hence, setup inadequate
measures to protect their on-field correspondents. It was only after 53 journalists
from Mumbai were tested positive for the virus, that these media houses started
a massive screening process for their 'news warriors.'
"The lives of the reporters have become similar to that of doctors, policemen, and the workers as we all are exposed to many threats in the course of our duty. Despite taking several safety measures, we just can't ensure our complete safety from this deadly pandemic", said Illa Kirti, Chief Reporter of the Navbharat Times.
Safety measures
Since
the Mumbai incident, even the correspondents are working from home using phone
and messaging services to transmit information. However, this lack of mobility
& trusted information channels has only made news reporting more complex.
For those who still have to cover on-field news, social distancing has been in effect with the reporters also wearing face masks & gloves to protect themselves. But despite all measures in place, the families of the correspondents find themselves battling anxiety for the safety of reporters. This anxiety is justified, given that even after all the precautions, new cases in the media fraternity are still emerging, with 28 positive COVID cases in the Zee news media outlet.
The
threat of the Coronavirus is genuine, looming, and an enduring one. The best
scientific and medical minds around the globe have warned of a cascading effect
of the virus. As such, the best we can do is keep ourselves healthy and embrace
social distancing guidelines as a part of the 'new normal.' While we may loathe
about the present scenario for not being able to meet our loved ones or a
casual dining party, we must applaud the selfless work of our healthcare &
news warriors, who put their lives at risk so that we stay safe, healthy and
well informed about the threat that grips our world today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. With more & more journalists being
affected, will this impact news coverage?
A. Though many in the media fraternity are being exposed to the threat of
contracting the virus, the media houses are increasingly taking precautions to
keep their employees safe. Strict measures are applied for the safety of these
reporters with minimum crowd interaction.
Moreover, the latest
Supreme Court's decision to allow free discussion of the pandemic means that
news reporting would not be affected to a high degree.
Q. Is inter-state travel allowed during a lockdown?
A. Inter-state
travel is not permitted under the current norms. However, it can be undertaken
in case of any medical emergency. In case of an emergency other than for
medical reasons, one must obtain approval from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of
the area concerned before he/she is permitted to move out. A medical screening
may be necessary for obtaining such approval.
