Protecting Truth Tellers: Safety and Ethics of Journalists in the Pandemic
Journalist safety expert Abeer Saady stressed the importance of ensuring both physical and psychological health of media workers covering the pandemic in a webinar hosted by the Philippine chapter of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) 27 October.
Like a pyramid, giving oneself the care they need should be a top priority — with media workers not spared from afflicting the dreaded virus.
Having covered conflict areas, Saady also shared that the toll on a journalist’s mental health can sometimes take years before it can be diagnosed.
Saady stressed that journalists both in the Philippines and in other countries have faced relentless “character assassination” in a bid to silence their critical reportage.
To counter such attacks, Saady encouraged journalists to involve the communities they are working with.
Supported by the Journalism & Media International Center of Oslo Metropolitan University, over 30 Filipino journalists participated in the webinar, including those who are facing trumped-up cases and victims of vilification campaigns.
Among the Filipino journalists who shared their respective experiences during the pandemic were: Ms. Dabet Panelo, Secretary-General of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines or NUJP; Ms. Anne Krueger, Paghimutad co-founder and journalist; and Ms. Kath Cortez, journalist and Media Safety Office Coordinator for Eastern Mindanao of NUJP.