By Ranjit Singh
THE insistence of certain government ministries on having press conferences during the Covid-19 period endangers journalists who have to cover these events.
Online portal Malay Mail reported that Pandan MP and former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had called for better protection of journalists during the movement control order (MCO) to contain the spread of Covid-19, and asked government agencies and ministries to conduct virtual press conferences instead.
“We know that the supply of masks and gloves may not be sufficient at this point of time and we should think about other measures to keep our journalists safe.
“Ministers can record their press conferences and send them to the news organisations for the journalists to prepare their news pieces. There are many apps now that can be used for virtual press conferences where journalists can ask questions online. The ministers can then also post these videos on their ministry’s or personal social media accounts,” Wan Azizah was quoted as saying.
She also asked for press statements to be issued instead of holding press conferences which require journalists to be present.
On March 17, Pakatan Harapan (PH) said it had shifted all its press conferences online in response to the MCO issued by Putrajaya which lasts until March 31.
Malay Mail reported that PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil had said the coalition’s press conference will be conducted online.in response to the MCO.
“We are going to try it out and see how we do it (online press conferences). This will be the first time we are trying it out. Any public communications from us will be either through press statements or Facebook Live.
“The whole point of doing the press conference on Facebook Live is to allow for questions and answers. The media can also ask questions on our media WhatsApp group. That’s our modus operandi so far.
“We might also migrate to another (social media messaging) platform later,” Fahmi was quoted as saying. — March 23, 2020
