A-4: Role of Media amidst COVID-19 Outbreak: From Pakistan and Beyond
- The media industry has been hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis despite being one of the few sources of crucial up-to-the-minute information about the world and the virus itself. Given the closure of many media houses in the region and others with scaled down operations through workforce reduction, downsizing or reduced salaries, governments need to be more financially supportive of the work being done by media.
- Media must communicate crisis information efficiently and effectively to the general public as failing to do so can lead to misinformation, panic and fear.
- The media should act as a bridge between people, public health communications, and the local government for their problems related to COVID-19.
- Scientific and political statements should be kept separate when it comes to reporting on a health crisis.
- Journalists should curate relationships with think tanks and academic community who have a history of non-partisan, objective and scientifically-rigorous work to provide accurate reporting.
- Reporters should avoid covering stories in a binary manner. Rather, a more nuanced approach should be followed, e.g., when it comes to reporting on re-opening rather than framing the options as total lockdowns versus simply reopening everything without restrictions.
- Government and media houses should mutually devise collective SOPs until the pandemic ends.
- All facts and information that is publicized on any type of media should be verified using WHO Guidelines.
- Media houses should develop SOPs for the safety of their own employees and provide trainings and PPEs to their employees on regular basis.
- 'Development Journalism' and 'Health Journalism' should be introduced as disciplines in universities.
- While media has a crucial role to play in sensitising people on disasters and their management, many journalists lack the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage the prevention and resolution of crises and disasters. Think tanks and governments can work together to build capacity in this regard.
