We know you’re worried about the coronavirus and so are we. But with the right information, we can take steps to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy.
The COVID-19 strain of coronavirus is fast becoming a pandemic and journalists are on the front lines in keeping us informed. Journalists compile and disseminate safety information and statistics from medical professionals and organizations like the CDC and WHO to ensure the public is receiving accurate information. Additionally, journalists hold governments accountable to their citizens by reporting on how the outbreak is being managed and contained.
Unfortunately, some countries at the epicenter of this public health emergency are cracking down on reporters covering it. These countries also happen to rank at the very bottom of RSF’s World Press Freedom Index.
From the start, the Chinese government censored information related to the outbreak and jailed several journalists for their coverage. In particular, the government tried to suppress reporting about the failure to notify the World Health Organization for three weeks after the outbreak began. It recently expelled three Wall Street Journal reporters from the country in retaliation against the Journal’s coverage of the outbreak.
In Iran, cyber-police arrested thirty people for sharing information online about the spread of the virus in their communities, while doctors in that country report that the crisis is far worse than the government is admitting.
These government crackdowns are deeply concerning and they are making it more difficult for the public to stay informed about this international public health crisis. This is why RSF has called for both China and Iran to allow journalists to cover developments around the coronavirus freely. In fact, all governments should prioritize the need for accurate and timely information about this outbreak and allow journalists to do their jobs.
A free press is among the first lines of defense during a public health emergency and RSF USA is committed to defending your right to stay informed, healthy and safe.
