An online meet on the theme of ‘Media and Covid-19’ was held yesterday by School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Devi Ahilaya University and UNICEF.
The theme of the meet was on stigma and discrimination and sharing stories of Covid-19 warriors, from the ground by participating women journalists from Delhi, Bhopal, Gwalior and Indore. Around 100 participants had joined online from the State which included media and students of journalism.
Speaking as a special guest at the meet, Sanchita Sharma, Editor Health and Science, Hindustan Times, shared the powerful stories from across India of Covid warriors done by her and added that still we have scope and media can bring in the stories of support staff at ground and go beyond numbers. She reiterated that we still need to be careful and follow protocols of use of facemask, maintain social distancing and washing hands with soap/ sanitizer frequently, as we report stories. Each one of us must protect ourselves to stop the spread of Covid.
F A Jami, Education Specialist, UNICEF,MP, shared that 'School closure during the Covid-19 times is not easy for children. Although there are efforts by the government to support learning at home, the absence of mobile or other gadgets exclusive for each child is a challenge amongst the majority of the families. Inability to go out, meet friends and play is adding to the anxiety amongst children.
It’s time to make preparations for school reopening with clear protocols on school safety, establish community dialogue for adherence to safety protocols and develop a blended teaching learning approach of online and offline
mode.' Sravani Sarkar, Special Correspondent, MP & CG, The Week, shared stories from ground on the situation, covid 19 warriors and how media can and still a play a role in reducing discrimination by highlighting the issue.
She also spoke on the challenges of doing stories in times of Covid-19 but said as journalists in crisis like this we also come out with new ideas to get the stories and bytes from the ground.
Ruby Sarkar of Jublille Post and Shruti Tomar of Hindustan Times, Bhopal also shared their stories from the ground.
Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, Coordinated the meet and said that this is part of effort by UNICEF in partnership with School of Journalism and Mass Communication, DAVV Indore to bring stories of Covid-19 times, and also seek support from media to keep the momentum going and touch upon issues of education, immunization and others. Dr Vandana Bhatia, Health Specialist, UNICEF, MP responded to technical questions and answers of the participants on Covid-19 and the newer issues.