Groups Say Frontline Journalists At-Risk, Seek Vaccination Priority

December 11, 2020

By Rod Hicks, QUILL

More than a dozen journalism organizations have requested that journalists in the field covering the COVID-19 crisis, rallies, protests and other public events be allowed to get inoculated with the coronavirus vaccine ahead of the general population. The letter, dated Dec. 8, is addressed to José Romero, who leads the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

“Journalists consistently provide the important information their viewers, listeners, and readers need, regardless of the dangers or hardships they face,” the letter said. “But in times of crisis, journalists represent an even more critical lifeline to their communities.”

Pfizer and Moderna have developed promising COVID-19 vaccines and applied for emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. Advisors to the CDC will recommend priority groups for vaccination. The committee has recommended the first doses of vaccine go to health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

The 14 journalism organizations made clear that they are not requesting journalists get the vaccine before groups already identified by public health officials as the highest priority.

“We certainly understand and support the value of first vaccinating frontline health care workers, first responders, the most vulnerable at-risk Americans including communities of color, and additional deserving critical fields and sectors,” the letter stated. “But as you consider the next phases, we hope you will also consider the essential role played by journalists — a role that cannot be performed without physically engaging in the communities they serve, regardless of the risk.”

An email sent to Romero for comment was not returned Wednesday.

The Society of Professional Journalists is among the organizations that support the request for early vaccinations for journalists on the frontlines. “In real ways, we are first responders, too,” SPJ National President Matthew T. Hall said.

The best journalism is conducted in close proximity to news as it unfolds — not by phone, email, tweet or other digital means, he said.

“Some of our colleagues have gotten sick and died during this pandemic, but we continue to respond and do the work of journalism because it’s our job and we work for the public,” Hall said.

Signatories to the letter were America’s Public Television Stations (APTS); Asian Americans Journalists Association (AAJA); National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ); National Association of Broadcasters (NAB); National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ); National Newspaper Association (NNA); National Press Photographers Association (NPPA); Native American Journalists Association (NAJA); News Leaders Association (NLA); NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists; News Media Alliance (NMA); Public Broadcasting Service (PBS); Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA); Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

(CREDIT SOURCE: Quill Magazine by the Society of Professional Journalists)



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