Crisis facing journalism covering COVID-19

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BRUSSELS, April 30: Three in four journalists have faced official restrictions, obstruction or intimidation in reporting on COVID-19, according to a new survey of more than 1,300 journalists in 77 countries published by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Thursday.
Two-thirds of staff and freelance journalists have also suffered pay cuts, lost revenue, job losses, or worsening working conditions, according to the survey carried out by the IFJ between 26-28 April.

The survey also notes that more than half of all journalists are suffering from stress and anxiety, more than a quarter lack essential equipment to enable them to work safely from home, while one in four lack any protective equipment to work in the field.

More than a third of journalists have shifted their focus to covering COVID-19 related stories.
Dozens of journalists have been arrested, faced lawsuits or been assaulted, it says. Many reported being verbally attacked by politicians, it said.
Some worried that the total focus on COVID-related stories meant other important issues were being ignored.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger commented: “These results show a worrying trend of declining media freedom and cuts to journalism at the very time when access to information and quality journalism is so crucial.
“Journalism is a public good and it deserves public support and an end to political obstruction and interference,” he said.
The Brussels-based IFJ represents around 600,000 journalists in 146 countries worldwide (KUNA)

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