The International Press Institute has reminded governments not to use the Coronavirus epidemic as a way to roll back media freedom, access to information, and other fundamental rights and freedoms.
The global network of editors, media executives and journalists, urged political stakeholders to recognise the crucial role that independent news media has in ensuring the free flow of news and information.
“The free flow of independent news is more essential than ever in this situation, both in informing the public on vital measures to contain the virus as well as in maintaining an open dialogue and debate on the adequacy of those measures, which is essential for winning the necessary public trust for them,” said IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi.
She added that in this current age of disinformation, the public needs access to news that it can trust. Governments, she said, should support the work of the independent media which are “crucial allies” in the fight against the pandemic.
Trionfi expressed concerns that some authorities may use the crisis to introduce “draconian new curbs” which risk outliving the current situation.
“This pandemic is seeing some of the most wide-ranging restrictions on individual freedoms in peacetime. We, therefore, urge all states to ensure that any measures are taken to tackle COVID-19 and that infringe on fundamental rights are necessary, proportionate, temporary and limited to solving the immediate health crisis”, she said.
In authoritarian countries, it is imperative that the crisis is not used to rush through regressive regulations that could impact independent media coverage of the crisis, and its consequences, she added.
The IPI has laid down some guidelines for governments to ensure journalists are able to carry out their job without restriction during this challenging time.
- Guaranteeing fair and equal access to journalists and media to all information related to the health crisis. Where health measures preclude physical access such as to press conferences, alternative access must be made available.
- Protecting freedom of movement for media and access to decision-makers, health care professionals and others combatting the pandemic.
- Ensuring no emergency powers or regulations are used to restrict media freedom and the rights of journalists now, or later.
- Ensuring government representatives and health experts are provided space and time on the airwaves to inform citizens while protecting journalists’ right to scrutinize, and where necessary, criticize decisions.
- Not recklessly misrepresenting media scrutiny as disinformation or misusing the crisis to restrict or punish critical media.
- Ensuring that journalists on the front line of reporting the health crisis have access to proper medical protection.
A group of Albanian media organisations last week condemned the Albanian government over the way in which they are managing information related to the outbreak. They said the government has monopolized information on the situation by releasing updates via social media live stream and closed press conferences. Journalists said they have also been prevented from speaking to journalists or getting press statements.
As well as many Albanians being left in the dark, the country’s ex-pat community has been thrown into confusion as many have struggled to find up to date information on what is happening. Instead, many have turned to Facebook groups to ask for help and advice on the situation as it develops.
Then, at the end of last week, Prime Minister Edi Rama sent a voice message to all Vodafone mobile phones giving advice. One bit of advice imparted was to “protect yourselves from the media” in a move that was seen as yet another direct attack on the media and journalists.
