Informed 07


Chris Frost, ethics council chair, offers some topical advice


Te Covid-19 crisis poses new ethical challenges to journalists. Of course, the NUJ’s code of conduct still applies, perhaps more so than ever, so members should remember they still have a duty to inform the public honestly, accurately and fairly. However, the new government advice means that some of the other clauses require more thought than usual. Sources should not be put at risk of


infection and all contacts should be carried out by phone or online where possible. Broadcasters should ensure minimum crews and a minimum two- metre distance – get that mic boom out of the stores and use a handheld mic! Photographers should also use longer lenses to ensure distance. Try to interview out of doors – the beter weather will help here. You should not expect to be invited into someone’s home.


Crisis, disease and death have always made for good stories, but we should avoid being swept along by the sniff of a particularly good human interest story. Intruding into the privacy of people mourning the death of a loved one should be done with caution and sympathy – not easy from a distance of more than two metres. Normal advice would be to cover such stories in person, but, it would be best to make such calls by phone. Remember, although this may be one of the first deaths in your area, the family still deserve the right to refuse to talk to you if they wish. If they do agree to talk, you need to respect their boundaries. Knowledge of a death may well be in the public interest and something that needs to be published but we still need to treat


the family with decency. Te rarity of the situation in which


we now find ourselves leads to all sorts potential stories from the difficulties of a family unable to atend a loved one’s funeral to weddings with no more than five guests. Pregnant women are in the vulnerable groups and births in hospital are likely to become less frequent as medical facilities become stretched and story ideas open up, from babies born with the virus to births in odd circumstances. Our code calls on journalists to resist


threats or inducements to influence or suppress information. With government and others atempting to present the crisis to their advantage, journalists need to be as careful as ever about why someone is telling us something and if what they are saying is really true. We should never rely on a single


source, always test what we are being told against other views. However, you should remember that many of those you may need to speak to will be very busy, particularly medical experts and the like, and so phone and email is best, at least for initial contact or confirmatory information. Our code tells us not to produce


material likely to cause hatred or discrimination against identifiable groups; already there have been examples of atacks on Chinese students. It is important that NUJ members do not jump on such stories or seek a cheap and easy piece from hatemongers such as Nigel Farage who seek to promote themselves at the expense of others. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent stories of human kindness around to give us all hope.


Go to the green buton


It’s been a challenging time for NUJ members, with coronavirus news moving fast and advice changing. Te place to go is the Covid-19 green


buton on the NUJ website htps:// www.nuj.org.uk/work/covid-19- information


Te union has pulled together


advice, guidance and the latest announcements from the UK and Irish governments and organisations such the TUC and Acas on employment maters, health and safety, how to contact NUJ officials, information and where to get help and financial assistance. It also links to an extensive advice page for freelances. htps://www.nuj.org.uk/news/covid- 19-update-from-the-nujs-freelance- office/


Te NUJ is helping members to continue to provide the public with timely, accurate information on events, the latest health advice, promote and co-ordinate volunteering efforts, bring the community together and combat the proliferation of fake news. It also offers advice on how members can protect themselves and their families from the coronavirus. NUJ branches are sending advice


to members. Notingham branch has been collating the experiences of freelances. NUJ head office will send regular advice bulletins. Te coronavirus crisis has prompted Netherlands NUJ to go digital and is trialling its branch meeting via Google Hangout. Tony Sheldon, NEC member, said: “Our branch covers the whole of the Netherlands, so going digital could have huge benefits for the future in allowing members across the country to participate. We are asking all members to contact us if they face difficulties and to pass on professional advice for colleagues and tips on how to survive life indoors.”


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