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TitleYearAuthor (surname, first name)Institution of AuthorPublication TypePublicationVolume/Issue/Page Numbers/PublisherAbstractLink to PublicationOpen Access (Yes/No)
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Freedom Of Expression In Times Of Covid-19: Chilling Effect In Hungary And Serbia
2020Cendic, Kristina and Gosztonyi, GergelyUniversity of SarajevoArticleJournal of Liberty and International Affairs6(2) pp. 14-29
New technologies have opened several risks to safety of journalists. More importantly, in the state of emergency caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, journalists and media actors have shifted their activities online more than ever, which also made them more prone to digital threats and attacks. In some regimes there are even organized intimidation campaigns against political opponents causing chilling effect and self-censorship, and jeopardizing freedom of expression in general. Hungary as a member of the European Union since 2004 and Serbia as a leading candidate to join the EU are two countries where the problems and concerns about media freedom is growing every day. The fear from the unknown during the international pandemic gave opportunity to some governments to hide their real political agendas and cover their desire for the 'good-old-fashioned' censorship. The number of countries where some kind of censorship could be found is growing every day. The authors will show two country-case-studies from Hungary and Serbia, where the leaders and the political situations are very similar and could show a (good or bad) example to other countries that would like to follow the illiberal views on media issues.https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/handle/document/70613Yes
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Citizen (in)security?: Social media, citizen journalism and crisis response2020Reid, Julie; Daniels, Glenda.; Skinner, Kate
University of South AfricaArticleCommunicatio. South African Journal for Communication Theory and Research46(3) pp. 1-19This article assesses the multiple factors which are barriers to media freedom in South Africa. These include crises of financial sustainability of the media sector which have recently been compounded by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; widespread job losses in journalism; and harassment and physical violence against journalists from political representatives, security services, the judiciary, citizens and from within the media sector itself. Notwithstanding the contested liberal normative role of the press, the assessment of “media freedom inhibitors” offered here is theoretically premised on the role of the media in a democracy, and the importance of media freedom to the political, economic and social welfare of a democratic society. Methodologically, the data was collated from the State of the Newsroom (SoN) publications, and via the South African National Editors’’ Forum (SANEF) archive, which revealed that the intensity of attacks on journalists in South Africa is escalating, and from different quarters. Thus, the article argues for broadening the scope of research and advocacy efforts, beyond government-proposed legislation, to the multiple other obstacles to media freedom in the country.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02500167.2020.1819838?src=getftrYes
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Covid 19 and the Safety of Media Personnel in Nigeria
2020Ayodele, Joseph B. Kaduna State UniversityArticleRevista de Studii Media9, pp. 14-23This paper investigated media personnel employers’compliance with safety and protection of professionals in charge of dissemination of information whenever their assignments take them to places where their lives could be at risk. The occupational safety and health convention spells out the requirements that employers of labour are expected to fulfill in order to protect workers at the front line of disease of epidemic or pandemic proportions as contained in the International Labour Organisations Convention. The paper has four sections that include, introduction, literature review and analysis.Interview was used as data collection instrument. The primary data was relied upon. The qualitative data was analysed in themes. This paper argued that Health correspondent have a duty to protect themselves when at the frontline in order save their lives and that of their colleagues and their family. All safety precautions have to be adhered to. Their employers too are expected to give them all necessary kits to adhere to the safety precautions.https://jms.hyperion.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/4.-Ayodele_14-23.pdfYes
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A battle of two pandemics: Coronavirus and digital authoritarianism in the Arab World2020Khamis, SaharUniversity of MarylandBook ChapterCyber War & Cyber Peace: Digital Conflict in the Middle East
Washington, DC: Middle East InstituteN/Ahttps://www.mei.edu/publications/book/cyber-war-cyber-peaceNo
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Health and Safety Risks to Journalists During Pandemics
2021Shah, Sayyed Fawad Ali; Jan, Faizullah and Ittefaq, Muhammad Jacksonville State University/University of Peshawar/University of KansasBook ChapterHandbook of Research on Discrimination, Gender Disparity, and Safety Risks in JournalismIGI Global, pp. 90-103Journalists play a critical role in the dissemination of health information to the public. This chapter explores the challenges created by COVID-19 for journalists in Pakistan. It also examines how the pandemic has shed light on the disparities and safety risks in the Pakistani journalism and exposed fault lines in journalism practices in the country. The authors randomly selected 50 profiles of journalists from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan and analyzed the publicly available posts they created or shared on their profiles (n= 823). They found that the journalists were mainly concerned about their own well-being and the well-being of their families. They received threats for covering COVID-19 related stories. They were not trained enough to cover a health crisis like COVID-19, and therefore, a majority of the journalists did not follow standard operating procedures outlined by the Government of Pakistan. They suggest that the Government of Pakistan view these journalists as essential workers and frame precautions from healthcare organizations.https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/health-and-safety-risks-to-journalists-during-pandemics/267629No
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‘Lockdown’ on Digital Journalism? Mapping Threats to Press Freedom during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis2021Papadopoulou, Lambrini and Maniou, Theodora A. Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and Panteion University of Social and Political SciencesArticleDigital Journalism9(9) pp. 1344-1366Across the globe, governments have issued emergency and drastic measures aimed at tracking the spread of COVID-19 and safeguarding public health. Notwithstanding the necessity and importance of some of these measures, this work argues that numerous governments around the world used the pandemic crisis as a pretext to push through restrictions that hamper critical journalism. Drawing from worldwide press freedom monitoring tools and platforms established by various credible global organizations, this study shows that the pandemic crisis exacerbates existing obstacles to press freedom and adds new dimensions to the already documented threats. This is evident not only in authoritarian states, but also in western democracies. Most of the threats documented specifically aim to silence digital journalism, which has gained significant momentum as a result of the pandemic crisis. Overall, the main target of this work is to offer an enriched conceptual approach to the types of threats that press freedom faces in the context of global crisis situations.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21670811.2021.1945472No
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Live From My Living Room: Perceived Organizational Support Among TV News Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic2021Coates Nee, Rebecca and Cueva Chacón, Lourdes M. San Diego State UniversityArticleElectronic News15(3–4) pp. 75–94.As members of the media, TV news workers were considered essential employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many employees went into the field to cover stories related to the pandemic, which included anti-mask and lock-down protests. This mixed-methods study explored the extent to which TV news workers perceived organizational support from their news organizations during the crisis. Findings of a national survey of TV news employees (N = 173) show market size (larger), membership in professional organizations, access to counseling services, and resources on best practices of covering COVID-19 correlated with positive perceptions of employers during the pandemic. In turn, these positive perceptions, as well as manageable job demands and high decision authority each correlated with overall job satisfaction. Qualitative findings further illustrated the varying steps TV news managers took to support and protect their employees’ health and safety during the crisis.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/19312431211035129Yes
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Face-to Face with COVID-19: Experiences of Ghanaian Frontline Journalists Infected with the Virus
2022Boateng, Kodwo Jonas Anson and Buatsi, RedeemerGhana Institute of JournalismBook ChapterHealth Crises and Media Discourses in Sub-Saharan AfricaSpringer, pp. 147-162Journalists around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, media houses have had to make drastic adjustments to the impact of challenges wrought by the pandemic on their operations. Ghanaian media houses also faced similar challenges and disruptions. News reporters and journalists felt the impact of these disruptions with many Ghanaian journalists losing their jobs. This study used affective-emotive theoretical perspective to examine how the possibility of contracting COVID-19 could affect or trigger emotions of fear and anxiety among Ghanaian journalists. The study set two main objectives (1) what workplace safety policies and protocol guidelines were established in newsrooms to mitigate the spread of the virus and (2) to what extent did journalists fear for the safety and well-being of close family members because of their journalism work. The study conducted in-depth unstructured interviews with five journalists who had recovered from the COVID-19 infections. The study found that despite high degrees of fear and anxiety among respondents about on-assignments and workplace infections, respondents still maintained ‘emotional detachment’ to attain objectivity in news reporting. Respondents also expressed high degrees of fear of exposing family members to the virus.

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-95100-9_9Yes
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More than just collateral damage. Ramifications of the pandemic for freedom of the press2022Holtz-Bacha, ChristinaFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, GermanyArticlePublizistik67, pp. 31–50Confronted with a situation that was new to everyone, world leaders sought the best way to contain the pandemic caused by the coronavirus. The measures introduced, with lockdowns and curfews, affected fundamental rights such as freedom of movement and assembly, with implications for freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Demonstrations against the governments’ COVID-19 policies and the associated encroachments on citizens’ fundamental rights in turn led to attacks on media representatives and thus on the freedom of reporting. They were also further proof that attacks on the freedom of the media no longer come only from the state. The restrictions on journalistic work were by no means a surprise attack on the media, but the continuation of a worldwide trend that has been evident for several years, not only in authoritarian systems, but also in established democracies. For those who fear the free press and its watchdog function, the pandemic provided a welcome opportunity, under the pretext of public health, to tighten the reins a bit more and create facts that will endure beyond the pandemic. Financial support for the media, especially the printed press, to cushion the economic consequences of the pandemic and to secure newspapers for the future, establishes new dependencies that can affect free reporting in the long term.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11616-021-00699-4No
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Save The Journalist: News Media In Time Of Crisis
2022Grubi, Artan and Karameti, Aurora University of TetovoArticleVizione38, pp. 291-305Along the first lockdown of the world because of covid 19 pandemic, the professional media regained their monopoly of reliable information linked to the health crisis of all kinds: political, social and economic thanks to the journalism of quality. Journalists were on the front lines to ensure the necessary and reliable information for their audiences during the unprecedent global pandemic crisis. The public was in need of exact news and this was assured by the quality journalism only in field and online. Professional journalists were in the frontline but this had its cost. This paper deals with the issue of the safety of journalists in the practice of their profession during the 2020 crisis, in several countries. Thematic analysis is applied to examine the challenges, risks and fears of journalists during that time through individual and collective experiences of journalists, testified, published in media articles or expressed on professional forums around the world. In some countries the journalism was considered as "a public good" and so media organizations have taken the necessary measures to ensure a safe functioning during lockdown periods but political power has stigmatized journalists and puts more pressure on them than in normal times. There have been even more restrictions on access to official information and several cases of journalist's imprisonment and harassment are reported. The data analysis show evidence of lack of physical, psychological, financial and digital security protection of journalists in several areas of the world. The pandemic influenced to worsen the basic conditions for a quality journalism to live. The world should figure out how to do the necessary in order to save the journalism, this irreplaceable public good.
http://visionsmagazine.org/visions-journal-issue-no-38/No
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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Nigerian Journalists Towards Safety Protocols in an Insecure and Covid-19 Pandemic Nation 2022Asogwa, Fidelis Ndidiamaka; Ogodo, Monday Ogodo and Awo, Ibe Nkechinyere

Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana and University of NigeriaArticleThe Melting Pot6(2) pp. 87-102This paper examines the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Nigerian journalists towards safety protocols especially within security and COVID-19 in Nigeria. The study adopted the survey methodology and relied on questionnaire as instrument of primary data collection. The population of the study was 305 journalists under the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abia and Ebonyi State. Sample size was 152 with 80 and 72 respondents chosen from Ebonyi and Abia State chapters respectively using Quota sampling technique. Data analysis utilized percentages, and tables. Findings show that 47.4% of the respondents have had threat of job loss from their employers while 80% consider job loss and threat to life as the most serious safety issues confronting Nigerian journalists. On safety training, 64.5% have no specific safety training; 57.9% of those who have safety training sponsored themselves, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), sponsored 42.1% while 97.4% believe that classroom safety training does not satisfy the needs of Nigerian Journalists. All the journalists take personal safety measures to protect themselves with 39.5% using self-censorship and 48% hiding their identities. All (100%) agreed that government was not doing enough to guarantee the safety of journalists in Nigeria. The paper recommends stricter enforcement of laws guaranteeing safety of journalists and greater emphasis on safety training by employers and journalism training institutions in Nigeria.

https://journals.aphriapub.com/index.php/TMP/article/view/1399Yes
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Endangered Voices: Nigerian Journalists’ Safety amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
2022Alade, Moyosore Omowonuola and Sanusi, Bernice Oluwalanu Redeemer's UniversityBook ChapterHealth Crises and Media Discourses in Sub-Saharan AfricaMentalSpringer, pp. 109-126This chapter examines the difficult conditions Nigerian journalists faced while reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the threats and dangers faced by Nigerian broadcast journalists and its implication for journalism practice amid a pandemic. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted nine in-depth interviews (online) with broadcast journalists in 2020 and employed thematic analysis to address the study’s findings. The study found that the safety threats encountered by journalists during the COVID-19 outbreak include the risk of contracting the virus, financial insecurity, and emotional trauma, among others. To combat these safety threats, journalists were responsible for their safety; hence, they ensured adherence to safety protocols with little or no support from the media houses they worked for. The implication of these safety threats to journalism practice includes reduced work output, reduced dissemination of factual reports, low-quality stories, and the lack of in-depth and investigative news reports during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-95100-9_7Yes
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Aggravating circumstances? The COVID-19-related situational threats against the press in Portugal
2022Novais, Rui AlexandreUniversidade Católica PortuguesaArticleJournal of Applied Journalism & Media StudiesDOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/ajms_00086_1This study aims to fill the gap of the practical impediments for journalists properly doing their work during the COVID-19 pandemic over a single country. It is achieved by mapping the situational threats faced by the press in Portugal, as one of the best countries that grant media a free environment to work, which illustrates the challenges faced by media in established democracies. Drawing on the analysis of 34 episodes reported by national and international monitoring bodies over twenty months since the onset of the coronavirus crisis in the country, it concludes that economic threats alongside limitations in accessing information prevailed to the detriment of verbal and physical attacks or smear campaigns and online harassment. Apart from the nuance of the far-right hostility towards the press due to the health restrictions during campaign reporting as a new type of threat manifestation, the remaining threats experienced by the Portuguese media accelerated or aggravated previous trends.
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/intellect/ajms/pre-prints/content-ajms_intellect_00086Yes
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Freedom of Expression and Media Freedoms on the Eve of the Pandemic2022Andjelic, NevenRegent's University LondonBook ChapterCovid-19, State-Power and Society in EuropeSpringer, pp. 117-135The diversity of the state of media freedoms in Europe is reflected in its geography, where more liberal regimes are to be found in the north and the west of the continent where the freedoms are secured firmer in countries’ legislations, governments’ practices, and citizens’ behaviours. Some countries in the east of Europe are most restrictive with these freedoms and rights that reflects types of regimes that are autocratic. However, states increasingly use pressure on individual journalists in situations when dealing with real or perceived security threats. The same type of excuse and clarification is used by autocracies when they impose severe restrictions on media and expression or attempt to execute rigid control over public life. While the legislation in most countries gives legal provisions to freedom of expression, the practices are often restrictive in some of the European countries. The Western Balkans’ states have developed such practices. The additional issue for Europe is the development of new media and the democratisation of media, making it available to almost anybody to publish or broadcast on digital platforms. The state is yet to learn how to regulate this new space and legislate in this sphere. Should freedoms be restricted by regulating digital platforms, and whether this would lead from democratic towards authoritarian governments?https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-91073-0_7No
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Challenges and Opportunities for Journalism in the Bulgarian COVID-19 Communication Ecology
2022Trifonova Price, Lada and Antonova, VesislavaUniversity of Sheffield and University of National and World EconomyArticleJournalism PracticeDOI: 10.1080/17512786.2022.2118154The coronavirus pandemic brought immense challenges to journalists worldwide, including new threats to media freedom, journalism safety and practice. The impact of the pandemic on journalism is yet to be fully understood and examined but this paper contributes to the field by focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on the media in countries with democratic deficits, such as Bulgaria. Studies on former Eastern bloc countries have become few and far between recently so this research aims to fill this gap by examining how the coronavirus pandemic and associated restrictions have impacted journalism practice in Bulgaria and how journalists, and independent media organisations responded and adapted to the pressures in 2020. Our findings from semi structured interviews with media practitioners show that it is the independent media that has borne the brunt of the crisis. In addition to existing challenges to press freedom, many Bulgarian journalists encountered new limits to their daily practice in reporting on a topic of significant public importance.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512786.2022.2118154Yes
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Reporting the Covid-19 Pandemic: Trauma on Our Own Doorstep
2022Jukes, Stephen; Fowler-Watt, Karen and Rees, GavinBournemouth University and Dart Centre for Journalism & TraumaArticleDigital Journalism10(6) The Coronavirus pandemic and the transformation of (digital) journalism
pp. 997-1014		The political and media rhetoric of the pandemic is that of conflict and a call to arms in face of a hidden enemy. But this is not a distant war where journalists are parachuted in to report on the action for a few weeks and then fly home. It is on our own doorstep. Many of those covering the global crisis do not correspond to the popular image of hardened conflict reporters and may have little experience in dealing with distressing stories of death, grief and mourning. How are journalists coping with the everyday diet of trauma when the corona frontline may be affecting their families, friends and colleagues? This article explores these issues through narrative interviews with UK-based journalists covering the pandemic for broadcast, print and digital media. It seeks to capture their “emotional labour” and explore possible differences in their practice and the coping strategies they employ. The paper locates this discussion within the context of an industry that has paid relatively little heed to these issues and considers what long-term implications the coronavirus may have for the next generation of digital journalists.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21670811.2021.1965489Yes
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Knowledge and Practice of Safety Protocols among Journalists Serving as Frontline Workers in the COVID-19 Fight in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
2022Nwafor, Kenneth Adibe; Nweke, Emmanuel Chukwudi; Oji, Zainab A. and Njoku,, Ijeoma Ebonyi State UniversityArticleInternational Journal of Ebola, AIDS, HIV and Infectious Diseases and Immunity7(1) pp. 20-37This study investigated the knowledge and practice of safety protocols among journalists serving as frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Structured questionnaire served as instrument for data collection. The population of the study was all the one hundred and fifty-seven (157) registered journalists in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on the Stages of Change Model and Health Belief Model. Simple percentage, frequency table, bar chart, T-test and Pearson’s chi square tests were used to analyse the research questions whereas t-test and Pearson’s Chi square test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significance level. Findings show that whereas majority of the respondents had good knowledge of Coronavirus personal protective measures, they lack the technicalities and personal protective equipment required to serve as frontline health workers in a highly infectious pandemic situation such as Coronavirus. The study recommends special training for journalists who cover pandemics, particularly highly infectious ones of this nature to better equip them with the requisite skills for this genre of special assignment. Journalism training bodies and institutes could also consider the inclusion of pandemic reporting as part of specialised courses in journalism studies. Prioritsing vaccination of journalists who serve as frontline workers during pandemics is also strongly recommended.

https://tudr.org/id/eprint/541/No
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A critical analysis of journalists’ freedom of expression and access to information while reporting on COVID-19 issues: a case of selected Arab countries
2022AlAashry, Miral SabryFuture University in EgyptArticleJournal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society20(2) pp. 193-212Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which Arab Governments limited freedom of expression and access to information for journalists while they reported on COVID-19-related issues.

Design/methodology/approach
Focus group discussions were conducted with 20 journalists from Egypt, Jordan, Libya and Tunisia.

Findings
The results of the study indicated that journalists in these countries experience violence in many forms as follows: torture, imprisonment, closure of their websites and censorship of content. In the four countries investigated, the results revealed that there is severe censorship (self-censoring and the governments) of the content presented to the public, an element that is inconsistent with the Arab Constitution, as well as international law, thus violating human rights laws. In addition, governments publish COVID-19 misinformation and at the same time, do little to support an independent media environment.

Practical implications
Arab societies are in dire need of freedom of expression and the right to access information to give journalists an opportunity to cover the news during the pandemic.

Originality/value
This study is important because it investigates the political changes that occurred after the Arab Spring revolutions in three countries, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya and the freedom of expression and rights is still restricted. In the same way, Jordan is a royal government that is trying to achieve democracy under a dictatorial regime. This study attempts to suggest practical solutions for journalists through various stakeholders by highlighting the importance of access to information and freedom of expression, particularly during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. These freedoms are critical for journalists to provide health officials with information, improve the efficacy of public health interventions through feedback and prevent the spread of misinformation.

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JICES-06-2021-0066/full/html?casa_token=u92FV6V7SowAAAAA:PkOdEJy-Pgdzy4yb4WHlNb3zvY-9aRcCY5iUwM82UnaI_NfCFkMJupz6giQSbAVO00iEBjW5X6JwbzY5NL_YB4GAhNIPoJGbNzvYb_09ByC-6BBTrOYYes
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Journalism and Mental Health: Ugandan Journalists’ Perspectives2022Napakol, Angella; Kazibwe, Samuel; Mugunga, Ann; Kitego, Elizabeth; Ahimbisibwe, Osborn and Kiva, Joseph
Uganda Christian University; Hong Kong Baptist University; Cavendish UniversityBook ChapterCOVID-19 and the Media in Sub-Saharan Africa: Media Viability, Framing and Health CommunicationEmerald Publishing, pp. 147-162In the midst of a public health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, journalists play an important role of sharing information of consequence with the public. As first responders to precarious events, they work in close proximity to the threat they are reporting on yet at the same time struggle with other personal and professional responsibilities which are strenuous on their mental health. This chapter qualitatively interrogated journalists in order to understand their experiences with mental health during COVID-19 and how they worked through personal and social acceptability, biases and stigma as well as diagnosis. Of importance as well was to understand how they disclose, if they disclose at all, mental health issues and the different copying mechanisms. Findings show that journalists have a textbook but not applicable understanding of mental health, declaring that they many of them have experienced mental disorders without knowing. The consequences of COVID-19 measures such as layoffs, increased workload, inconsiderate media houses, brutality from law enforcement agencies were key contributors to mental health stresses. Journalists with supportive families seemed to have coped better while some buried themselves in multiple jobs to circumvent the stress that comes with financial privation.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/978-1-80382-271-620221010/full/htmlNo
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Journalism in Onset of COVID-19 Pandemic in
Bangladesh: Governance and Coping Strategies
of Newspaper Journalists		2022Ahmed, Rakib; Kumar Mondal, Uzzwal and
Noman, Mridha Md. Shiblee 		Jahangirnagar UniversityArticleSociety & Change25(4) pp. 53-71This paper is about newspaper journalism practices under the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Based on two separate theories -- Communication Competence Theory, and Risk and Crisis Communication Management Theory, this study intends to understand the challenges that newspaper
journalists faced while discharging their professional responsibilities andgoverning the newsroom operations during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. In addition, this paper explores the strategies that journalists followed to adapt to the changed working environments and engage themselves in the processes of news production and publication. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 12 journalists including three news managers from three national dailies -- daily Prothom Alo, daily Samakal, and The Daily Star. Standing on findings, the discussion progressed around six areas – governance of newsroom operations, preparations, communication, newsgathering,
restrictions, insecurity and protection. The key findings are: i) the COVID19 crisis appeared as a blow before the newspaper journalists of Bangladesh due to a policy-level shortcoming in terms of formulating plans beforehand to govern the newsroom operations in the face of the challenges that emerged along with the pandemic; ii) the journalists were not comfortable in adapting themselves to the working from home strategy as they struggled in gathering and verifying information, and doing required communions using the virtual communication methods while working from distance; and iii) the journalists experienced psychological pressures because of multiple factors that included -- limited access to protective gear and fear of infection; protection of family members; adapting themselves to the changed working environments; and tension of losing the job in the pandemic crisis		https://www.societyandchange.com/uploads/1668006477.pdfYes
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‘Repackaging the emptiness’: How Russian regional journalism adapts to the COVID-19 pandemic
2023Erzikova, Elina and Lowrey, WilsonThe University of AlabamaArticleNewspaper Research JournalDOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/07395329221143368The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the role news organizations play in disseminating information and shaping public response to the crisis. This study adopts an ecological approach in examining Russian regional journalists’ adaptations to the pandemic. Based on in-depth interviews, the study found that a worsened economic situation has increased dependence on state subsidies. Journalists avoided questioning authorities’ response to COVID, with some publishing government information and others focusing on practical tips for readers.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/07395329221143368No
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Precarity in the journalistic workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic : a representative survey of Belgian journalists
2023Van Leuven, Sarah; Vanhaelewyn, Bart and Raeymaeckers, KarinUniversiteit GentConference PaperECREA Journalism studies Section Conference 'Journalism studies meets practice'
N/AThe Center for Journalism Studies (Ghent University, Belgium) has a long tradition in profiling studies of journalists based on survey research in collaboration with the Belgian associations of professional journalists (VVJ and AJP). Every five years (since 2003, last wave in 2018), a representative sample of Belgian journalists answer a series of questions about their background, work conditions and role conceptions. Following the start of the corona pandemic, we have launched an intermediary survey in April 2020 to collect data on how the crisis impacts important aspects of the journalistic profession, including news gathering, autonomy and income. 628 completed questionnaires were returned, i.e. a response rate of 20% of the total population of professional journalists. The findings of this representative survey reveal, first, that the consequences of the crisis are felt most strongly by freelance journalists, who reported a substantial decrease of assignments and income. It is remarkable that this was also the case for freelance journalists who work for the public broadcaster, which has a rather stable source of income not directly impacted by the corona pandemic. In contrast, commercial news media are more susceptible to sudden market changes and are therefore more associated with fluctuating employment of freelancers. Seen that the last profiling study in 2018 revealed a substantial increase of freelance employment in Belgian newsrooms from 18 to 25%, our findings point to increasing precarity in the journalistic workforce. A second important finding is that more journalists (both freelance and staff reporters) report problems with access to news sources and news gathering locations, indicating that safety measures are also used strategically by unwilling news sources. This raises concerns about the quality and independence of Belgian journalism during the corona pandemic. We end with a critical reflection about our collaboration with the professional associations to gather data on journalistic profiles and work conditions, and we show how our research can be useful in negotiations with news media groups and policy makers.
https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/01GMATYHH34RKWMKHTCY2Q74EHYes
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Pandemic, politics, and the safety of journalists: downward spiral of press freedom in India
2023Iyer, Sanviti and KS, Mochish Independent Researcher and FLAME UniversityArticleReview of CommunicationDOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15358593.2023.2216264According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index rankings by the RSF, India ranks 161 out of 180 countries. One of the important indicators that the index bases the ranking on is the level of violence against the journalists and their overall safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian government cracked down on the press by reprimanding any form of dissent regarding their policies. This has resulted in journalists from various parts of the country being arrested, detained, and harassed. The much-debated Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 and Disaster Management Act, 2005 were implemented to invoke curbs to contain the spread of coronavirus in India. The paper examines the consequences of the infodemic on the safety of journalists in the context of declining press freedom in the country in the context of the aforementioned acts. The analysis of cases focuses on highlighting how the laws introduced to “contain” the spread of the virus has been used as a tool to gatekeep the truth regarding the implementation of coronavirus policies by way of stifling the voice of journalists. The analysis reveals how various legal, political, and economic factors contribute to the lack of safety of journalists in the country.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15358593.2023.2216264No
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Workplace Happiness, Journalism and COVID-19 in South Asia2023Abeykoon, Achala; Kumari, Archana; Sahid Ullah, Mohammad; Majumdar, Pallavi; Ali, Sajjad; Mukherjee Das, Mou; Kumar Biswal, Santosh; Rasmin, M. C.; Kalyan, Shilpa; Shahid, Mohd and Rashid, Mamunor University of Kelaniya; UWE Bristol; University of Chittagong; Amity University; University of Malakand; Aliah University; Rama Devi Women's University; Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum; Manipal Academy of Higher Education; Rosalind Franklin University Book ChapterHappiness in JournalismRoutledgeThis chapter explores some of the positive strategies employed by South Asian media institutions to enhance workplace happiness and help journalists to cope with stress and traumatic experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Happiness is crucial for media institutions because journalism is one of the most stressful professions. Previous studies have found that the COVID-19 crisis has had a considerable impact on journalism. Hence, it is important to maintain workplace happiness in media institutions, particularly during a crisis like the pandemic.https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003364597-21/workplace-happiness-journalism-covid-19-south-asia-achala-abeykoon-archana-kumari-mohammad-sahid-ullah-pallavi-majumdar-sajjad-ali-mou-mukherjee-das-santosh-kumar-biswal-rasmin-shilpa-kalyan-mohd-shahid-mamunor-rashid?context=ubx&refId=73b00fe7-ea3d-4ad0-8757-1c17866d43bcNo
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Journalistic role conceptions and performance in the global south: A comparison between Egypt and the UAE during COVID-19
2023Abdulmajeed, Maha and El-Ibiary, RashaAjman University and Future UniversityArticleInternational Communication Gazette85(8) pp. 646-662Journalists in Egypt and the UAE have been differently challenged by the COVID-19 situation at multiple levels, (1) individual (2) work/routines and (3) media/organizational while covering COVID-19. Using the hierarchy of influences model, we analyze the differentiated journalists’ role conceptions, perceived performance, and challenges they faced in covering COVID-19, and how that affect their performance, as Global South-based journalists. Applying a mixed method approach, we conducted in-depth interviews with 20 journalists who reported COVID-19, representing different media platforms, as a part of the Global Risk Journalism Hub project. We also surveyed journalists (n 102) from both countries, as a part of the Journalistic Role Performance project. Findings revealed that media-organizational level challenges influenced journalists more than other levels. Journalists also shifted from the Civic Role Conception to performing the Loyal-Facilitator Role followed by the Interventionist Role during the pandemic.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17480485231214367No
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Journalistic Work During a Pandemic: Changing Contexts and Subjective Perceptions
2024Rick, Jana and Hanitzsch, ThomasLMU MunichArticleJournalism Practice18(1) pp. 99-118This study explores the extent to which the Corona pandemic has changed the working conditions of journalists in Germany and how they perceive these changes. The goal is to provide both the scale and qualitative nature of Corona-induced changes in the working environment of journalists by means of an online survey of German journalists (n = 983) in different employment situations. The results indicate that objective changes such as short-time work, income losses and the sudden shift to home office have notably shaped the world of journalistic work. On a subjective level, journalists’ responses mainly point to the personal financial fallout and resulting existential fears. Our findings suggest an intensified precarity in the working environment of journalists and highlight a growing gap between freelance and employed journalists.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512786.2023.2250760Yes
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Challenges of Journalists Across All Continents in the Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic2024Gomez-Sobrino, Rut and Catalan-Matamoros, DanielShanghai International Studies University and Madrid University Carlos IIIArticleJournalism PracticeDOI: 10.1080/17512786.2024.2310043During the COVID-19 crisis, journalists doubled efforts to keep societies informed, safe, and disease-free. The study examines and compares specific challenges that journalists, based in diverse world regions, confronted during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was conducted with 215 journalists working in 45 countries, following geographical and gender balance, to analyse journalistic skills, information and pressures received, institutional support provided by national authorities and international organizations, actions against disinformation and fake news, as well as the impact that the crisis would have on journalism. The paper shows key differences in the experiences of journalists regarding the world region highlighting the complexity of the media ecosystems and the various challenges that local journalists had covering the pandemic. After mapping those challenges, the paper tries to list key strategies to position and strengthen journalism upon future crises and to highlight the relevance of professional media as a crucial element in crisis management.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512786.2024.2310043No
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‘We’re Losing Our Bread and Butter Like Never Before’: Journalism in Bangladesh in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic
2024Rahman Razu, Shaharior; Rabbi, Fajlay; Nibir, Mahdi-Al-Muhtasim; Hoque, Farhana and Islam, ShahidulUniversity of New England and Khulna UniversityBook ChapterCommunicating COVID-19Palgrave MacmillanThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increased challenge for journalists and media professionals worldwide. However, there is a lack of information on these adversities in many developing countries, including Bangladesh. Our study aims to explore these challenges and risks associated with journalism, including those who cover the health beat of news agencies in Bangladesh during the pandemic. The study follows a qualitative research approach as we interviewed national and local level journalists of leading newspapers, television channels, news agencies, and online news portals of Bangladesh. Twenty-eight in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted following purposive sampling technique and a semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. The collected data were audio-taped, transcribed, and later on analyzed thematically. Five themes emerged from our findings as the participants reported of challenges in adopting to the new communication technologies and methods, job insecurity and financial crises, loss of freedom of expression, problems accessing credible information, and health and safety issues. We conclude that specific protocols on job/salary protection, training on new information and communication technologies (ICTs), precise laws and policies on circulation and access to information, and a support system for sound physical and mental health of the journalists need to be prioritised during the pandemic.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-41237-0_4No
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News Under Siege: The Impact of COVID-19 on Journalists in Pakistan with Focus on AJK and GB
2024Mubashar Hussain Shah, Syed and Hussain Shah, BabarAllama Iqbal Open UniversityArticleInternational Journal of Kashmir Studies6(1)This study investigates the experiences of journalists during COVID-19 pandemic from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) through a series of focus group discussions (FGDs). The research aims to develop strategies for enhancing journalists' capabilities and well-being in anticipation of future pandemics. The FGDs involved seasoned journalists from central press clubs in all regions, who provided insights into the challenges they faced and the strategies they adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis, conducted using NVivo software, revealed eight key themes related to the pandemic's impact on journalism. These themes informed a set of consolidated recommendations designed to improve journalists' safety, mental health, and access to information. The recommendations also emphasize strengthening legal protections, creating capacity-building opportunities, fostering networking and collaboration, and implementing specialized health reporting training. By addressing these recommendations, the study proposes a framework to bolster journalists' resilience and effectiveness in navigating future crises.https://ojs.kprijk.org/index.php/openjournalsystem/article/view/156Yes
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Unveiling journalistic resilience: A blueprint for future crises
2024Mubashar Hussain Shah, Syed and Hussain Shah, BabarAllama Iqbal Open UniversityArticleJournalismDOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849241272163This research article presents an examination of the findings and recommendations drawn from a series of focus group discussions (FGDs) with senior journalists. The main aim was to develop a strategy to safeguard the skills and well-being of journalists in the face of potential future pandemics or crises. The FGDs were attended by experienced journalists whose focus was on rigorous reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic. They represented press clubs from across Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). In these discussions, participants presented the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies they used to overcome these hurdles. In addition, the deliberations resulted in recommendations aimed at creating a safe environment for journalists to work, especially in crises. Using the analytical capabilities of the NVivo software, a thematic analysis was conducted to decipher the core themes of the FGDs. These themes have now been summarized in a set of consolidated recommendations that form the cornerstone of this research project. The recommendations advocate for improvements that include strengthening safety measures, prioritizing mental health and well-being, ensuring unimpeded access to important information, increasing legal protections, cultivating capacity-building opportunities, strengthening networks and collaborations, and introducing specialized training in health reporting. By implementing these recommendations, a framework can be created that strengthens journalists’ resilience in the face of crises. This article sees these findings not only as a blueprint for journalistic safety but also as evidence of the strength and adaptability of the journalistic community in the face of unprecedented challenges.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14648849241272163Yes
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“We don’t believe in [the] Coronavirus; we believe in Allah. Whatever happens, it happens from Allah”: Pakistani media’s response to countering conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic
2024Naz, Madeeha and Marwan, Amir Hamza Institute of Business Administration (IBA) ArticleNewspaper Research JournalDOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/07395329241280277This study examines the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic by the four leading newspapers of Pakistan—Dawn, The News, Daily Times and The Nation—when they were responsible for informing and educating the public during a health crisis hit by conspiracy theories. The researchers utilized content analysis to analyze 1,124 news stories. The findings reveal less emphasis was placed on scientifically investigating the causes, precautions and care of coronavirus and dispelling public misconceptions.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/07395329241280277No
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