An Open letter to the Journalistic outlets

Journalistic outlets are playing a significant role in the shaping of public opinion. Journalists support in fighting against all global crisis and carrying out relentless campaigns against all odds. Journalists also act as watchdog to protect public interest against malpractice and create public awareness in the time of crisis. Currently, Journalists all over the world are covering the global outbreak of Covid-19 continuously. Since the pandemic outspread in Bangladesh, journalists have been on the frontline like others front-liner or emergency workers. They are going to the ground with the risks of being infected as stories cannot be covered from self-quarantine.

Journalists put themselves at risk in the course of duty, but are they getting the protection what they need?

Sadly, the journalists of Bangladesh are barely being protected.

Most of the media outlets are not ensuring proper safety equipment for their staff even many are not providing pick up and drop off services or transport for their staff covering facts on the field.

Covid-19 Infection news of media workers are increasing day by day as safety is becoming a major concern that badly threaten their life.

On the other hand, as a practicing visual journalist I am also concerned about the ethical journalism practice on accuracy and fairness during the time of crisis where public look to the media for trustworthy information. I want to share a debated incident of Elephant Road in Dhaka on April 18, 2021. As Bangladesh imposes nationwide lockdown amidst spike in Covid-19 cases. One doctor was returning home at the end of his duty. In the ongoing lockdown, the authority has allowed people of special professions to travel without movement pass, including doctors. But the police stopped the doctor on the way and asked her to show her movement pass and ID card. The doctor introduces her and show her certificate of emergency pass from the hospital attached to her car and tells them to leave her ID card at home. But the police got her out of the car. There was an argument between the police and the doctor. But fragments of the incident are videotaped and broadcast by a particular media outlet that went viral across the country and sparked a lot of criticism that is still going on. Which creates a rift between the police and the medical community who serve as front-liners during this pandemic which is detrimental to the people at this time.

But we know that according to the SPJ Code of Ethics, Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalist should take responsibility for the accuracy of their work and provide full context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify or summarizing a story and verify information before releasing it.

At the end, I wish outlets will pay more attention about the safety and ensure the proper health service for their staff. I also hope that media will be more responsible to serve the accurate information to the people.

Sincerely

Nahid Hasan

Student of Diploma in Visual Journalism

{Note: This essay is a requirement for Diploma in Visual Journalism program at Asian Center for journalism at Ateneo de Manila University}