'Government, Media Owners Responsible for Safety of Journalists During Pandemic'

CNN Türk put shacks for its reporters. (Photo: Twitter)

Click to read the article in Turkish

The government and media outlets should take precautions to ensure the safety of journalists during the coronavirus pandemic the Journalists Union of Turkey (TGS) and the Turkish Journalists' Association (TGC) have said in two separate statements.

The TGC released a statement after reports emerged that CNN Türk did not let its reporters, photojournalists and camerapersons into its office and forced them to work in containers.

"The right to occupational health and safety of journalists, who work in all extraordinary situations such as earthquake, flood, fire, war, migration waves, epidemic diseases and in all difficult conditions, risking their lives, even losing their lives, must be immediately ensured for the people's right to information," said the statement.

Urging media outlets to comply with the Law on Occupational Health and Safety, the statement further said, "The practice of making our colleagues work in shacks with no health and safety measures should be abandoned immediately. Journalists' needs such as masks, disinfectants, gloves should be met regularly."

TGS: Protect the journalists chasing news

The TGS said that the lives of journalists are under risk due to the pandemic.

"Just as health workers and laborers who work in the service sector, journalists are also doing public service and it is a duty to protect them from the outbreak and ensure their job security. Those who will ensure this are the Presidency Communications Directorate, the Press Advertising Agency and the government," it stated.

"The first task of media owners is to give the true news, and the second is to protect journalists who give this news from the outbreak. For this reason, the method of working from home, which is applied all around the world, should be implemented.

"With this method, the gathering of many employees in newsrooms and studios will be prevented and broadcasting activities will continue with the opportunities provided by technology."

The union also requested the state to ensure the job security of media workers and provide additional economic support for them.

It also requested the release of arrested journalists, saying that they are vulnerable to the disease in prisons. (HA/VK)