29 April 2020 12:01 am
The Centre for Journalism and Education (CJE) yesterday requested camera crews not to video the families of Navy personnel being quarantined and urged all media institutions and personnel when reporting the pandemic situation to respect the privacy of those said to have contracted COVID-19.
The CJE said in a statement that after several Navy personnel had recently tested positive to the COVID-19 invfection while being deployed in efforts to contain the virus, the Department of Health, in keeping with international guidelines, has directed that their families be quarantined.
“Unfortunately, certain media personnel have accompanied public health inspectors visiting these homes to and videoed the families without their consent. Some media outlets have also engaged in reporting false and/or misleading information regarding these personnel and their families.
Journalism must be balanced when it comes to reporting on certain issues such as crime and corruption or on important public figures. However this is not such an instance and by forcing themselves into the homes of families suspected to have contracted COVID-19, they are only infringing upon the rights of these innocent people. This is not an issue of public interest. This is pure tabloid news,” CJE said.
Unfortunately, certain media personnel have accompanied public health inspectors visiting these homes to and videoed the families without their consent