Health Crisis Is Damaging Press Freedoms
2020-05-03
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1The working conditions for news reporters around the world have worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.
2The finding comes from recent research published by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
3About 1,300 reporters, or journalists, in 77 countries answered questions from the IFJ.
4Three out of four of them said they faced restrictions, threats or other difficulties while reporting on the COVID-19 crisis.
5Two-thirds of those questioned said they have experienced worsening working conditions, including decreased pay and job losses.
6Anthony Bellanger is the IFJ general secretary.
7He said, "These results show a worrying trend of declining media freedom and cuts to journalism at the very time when access to information and quality journalism is so crucial."
8He added, "Journalism is a public good and it deserves public support."
9Almost every independent journalist reported wage or job losses in the April survey.
10More than half said they have also suffered mental health problems like stress and anxiety.
11The IFJ said more than 25 percent of those questioned said they lack the right equipment to work at home as ordered by their governments.
12Another 25 percent said they lacked personal protective equipment for working in the field.
13The IFJ report also said, "When asked about the state of media freedom in their countries the vast majority said it had got worse."
14The group noted that many reporters have been arrested or faced legal action since the virus began to spread.
15Almost one in four journalists said they have struggled to get information from their government or official sources.
16Many criticized restrictions on free movement or on asking questions during press conferences.
17The IFJ said, "From Greece to Indonesia and from Chad to Peru, journalists used words such as precarious, problematic, terrible, worse, declining and restricted" to describe the current media freedom environment.
18I'm Jonathan Evans.
1The working conditions for news reporters around the world have worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. The finding comes from recent research published by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). 2About 1,300 reporters, or journalists, in 77 countries answered questions from the IFJ. Three out of four of them said they faced restrictions, threats or other difficulties while reporting on the COVID-19 crisis. 3Two-thirds of those questioned said they have experienced worsening working conditions, including decreased pay and job losses. 4Anthony Bellanger is the IFJ general secretary. He said, "These results show a worrying trend of declining media freedom and cuts to journalism at the very time when access to information and quality journalism is so crucial." 5He added, "Journalism is a public good and it deserves public support." 6Almost every independent journalist reported wage or job losses in the April survey. More than half said they have also suffered mental health problems like stress and anxiety. 7The IFJ said more than 25 percent of those questioned said they lack the right equipment to work at home as ordered by their governments. Another 25 percent said they lacked personal protective equipment for working in the field. 8The IFJ report also said, "When asked about the state of media freedom in their countries the vast majority said it had got worse." 9The group noted that many reporters have been arrested or faced legal action since the virus began to spread. 10Almost one in four journalists said they have struggled to get information from their government or official sources. Many criticized restrictions on free movement or on asking questions during press conferences. 11The IFJ said, "From Greece to Indonesia and from Chad to Peru, journalists used words such as precarious, problematic, terrible, worse, declining and restricted" to describe the current media freedom environment. 12I'm Jonathan Evans. 13Samuel Petraquin reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 14_______________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16access -n. the right or ability to approach, enter, or use 17crucial - adj. extremely important 18declining - adj. of or relating to the period during which something is deteriorating or nearing its end 19precarious - adj. not safe, strong, or steady 20trend - n. general direction taken in movement or change