Concerning the problems faced by journalists in the face of the spreading Covid-19 pandemic

Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella MP,

Minister of Information and Mass Media,

Ministry of Information and Mass Media,

Polhengoda,

Colombo 05.

Hon. Minister

Concerning the problems faced by journalists in the face of the spreading Covid-19 pandemic

As you know, the majority of journalists working in many media institutions live outside the Colombo District. Most of them use public transportation, such as bus or train, to get to their workplaces. In the face of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic situation, they are at a higher risk of contracting the disease by using public transportation. They must also provide themselves with the minimum hygiene equipment they need, such as masks and sanitizers. They have to travel to different places to engage in media work, which also puts them at high risk of contracting the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) has called on all media outlets to provide transportation and personal hygiene equipment to their employees in the early stages of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has not been met. Our Association regrets that these facilities are not provided, at least in the state media.

The situation of local and freelance journalists is also deplorable. Many media outlets have fired those who worked on a contract basis and as freelancers for their organizations, claiming that they were making a loss.  The monthly income of many freelance journalists has fallen below the Rs. 15000/00 limit due to reductions of allowances.

Therefore, SLWJA kindly request you to make arrangements for the provision of face masks and sanitizers, which are essential minimum hygiene equipment for journalists, working in all media institutions.

We also urge you to give priority to journalists in vaccinating against the Covid-19 pandemic and to intervene to ensure that this is done within the media outlrts. The public’s right to know information is also being hampered as a significant number of journalists and media personnel are already infected with Covid-19.                                                                                                                                              

Furthermore, many journalists have faced problems in repaying the ‘Media Aruna‘ loan given to them by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information. If any concessions are made for this purpose, SLWJA would appreciate it.

Since many journalists today work in the media through the Internet, finally, SLWJA respectfully request you to intervene to provide a special Any time Data Package for mobile phone SIMs provided to journalists by the Department of Government Information at a reasonable price.