Journalists urged to follow health guidelines as media houses record more COVID-19 cases

Government has urged journalists and media practitioners to take charge and follow health guidelines as several media houses continue to record COVID-19 positive cases.

While addressing a press conference on Sunday, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Judith Nabakooba said that journalists are critical frontline workers in the efforts against the spread of COVID-19. As such, they need to take precautionary measures to ensure their safety.

"I want to remind all media houses to ensure that they follow the guidelines that were issued by UCC at the start of the pandemic. They should also follow all the Ministry of Health guidelines on preventing the spread of the Coronavirus," Nabakooba said.

Nabakooba, however, noted that some journalists have not been following the health guidelines, which will have to change going forward.

Nabakooba's comments come at a time when several media houses have recorded positive cases of COVID-19.

Radio Pacis in Arua, New Vision, NTV, and NBS Television are among the media houses that have so far recorded positive Covid-19 cases.

Speaking to Nile Post, Desire Derekford Mugumisa, who is the Head of Public Relations and Communications at Next Media Services said their infected employees are already receiving treatment at different isolation centers, and that they shall keep in touch with them throughout their recovery periods.

Mugumisa added that Next Media Services prides itself in ensuring the safety of all its employees, and as such, several measures have already been put in place to protect their employees as they continue to carry on with their work during the pandemic.

"Among so many other measures, our new premises have been thoroughly sanitized to ensure workplace safety for our staff. In addition to this, no individual will be allowed access to the Next Media Park without a mask. No mask? No entry!" Mugumisa told Nile Post.