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Been meaning to write this for a while, so here goes. This thread is called The Silence of the Doyens. Among the essential services allowed to function during the #Corona pandemic are reporters. I want to highlight a few ways in which reporters across the country are doing this.
The first decision organisations took in terms of practicality was to restrict reporters/video and photographers access to office premises, as the danger of exposure and then infection was higher. Fair enough. But this means many are out on the road on their own.
Some reporters and cameramen have taken to using their personal vehicles to move around as all public transport is shut and there have been cases of fleet drivers being infected as they come from high risk slums. Some of us still use company vehicles.
But the reality is you are on the road the whole day. There is no place to rest, sit a while, no place to pee as one fears using public toilets at this time. Still some organisations are doing the best they can to help. But the thread is about those who don't.
In the vernacular press we have heard stories of reporters being pushed to go to unsafe locations for the sake of on spot reporting even when information could be sought using latest technology. Employees have been threatened with consequences for not doing so.
At other places instead of a threat there is an invocation of ideals of service to the nation and how this is a historic opportunity (cue eye roll). Most reporters I know are torn between helping bring out stories of distress and thereby help people and fear of infecting others.
At least three people I know have moved out of their residences and are living in temporary arrangements to protect their elderly parents and children. They have only seen their folks on video call or they go stand beneath the building, their child/parent waves from the balcony
They are still out there reporting at considerable risk and at a time when revenues are falling and they are sure to face salary cuts or even the axe in some months. Hollow words about national duty and historic opportunity do little to make them feel supported.
A few days ago some 50 odd from Mumbai and 30 odd from Chennai tested positive. More continue to test positive. I am still waiting for the National Broadcasters association or the @IndEditorsGuild to come up with uniform guidelines or even a statement of solidarity.
The Doyens who are otherwise very vocal have not said anything so far. The ministry gave a generic statement which sort of pushed the blame on reporters for going to risky places and not a word of instruction to managements. Maybe gvt interference is not the way but your silence?
Every time reporters step out they worry if they are using a PPE kit or mask that could have been used by a health worker. But they also worry that they may infect the people who they meet in the course of covering stories.
Many organisations including international have come up with cutesy videos about their anchors and seniors who can afford to work from home. Not many have glorified field reporters and cameramen the same way.
Many of us are grateful that at a time when many jobs are becoming redundant, journalism is a profession that won't entirely become so. But the callousness of the industry big wigs towards their foot soldiers makes one wonder, is it really worth it?
Would like to thank two Mumbai based organisations at the same time for helping organise testing for journalists @TvjaMaharashtra with initiative taken by @vinodjagdale80 and the @mumbaipressclub Some companies like ours too did so. But national bodies are still silent.
