DAKAR – The New York-based press freedom watchdog, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Monday said authorities and journalists should work together to tackle the problem in Ebola-stricken countries.
“The Ebola crisis in West Africa is unrelenting.
“While journalists on the frontline of reporting on the virus are caught between authorities wanting to control how the outbreak is reported and falling victims to the disease themselves,” CPJ noted in a statement.
According to the statement, Liberia’s media is in a fight for survival, with its government continuing its clampdown on the press which began after the first cases of Ebola were reported there.
CPJ pointed out that on Sept. 30, the government announced it was taking over the issuing of accreditation for both local and international journalists to practice in the country.
“’The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has accused the government of going against a MoU signed in the early 1990s between the PUL and the government.
“In which the PUL was put in charge of accrediting individual journalists, while the government, through the ministry of information, registered media houses,’’ the statement noted.
Meanwhile the government spokesman, Isaac Jackson reacted that the government had reneged by adding that the memorandum was not backed by any statutory law.
CPJ went on to lament that on Oct. 2, the Liberian government announced new media restrictions barring health workers from speaking to the press.
It added that the government required all local and foreign journalists to obtain official written approval before contacting and conducting interviews with patients, or recording, filming or photographing healthcare facilities.
It was also said that journalists without the permission were at risk of arrest and prosecution.
The statement also disclosed that Liberia’s health officials said that the restrictions were necessary to protect the privacy of patients and health workers, and applied to local and international journalists.
Meanwhile, President Ellen Sirleaf was said to have written to the country’s parliament, citing the need to bolster the fight against Ebola, seeking the suspension of several articles in the Liberian constitution.
The president also sought suspension on freedom of expression and the press, movement, labour rights, and religion.
“Lawmakers issued some warning that the country risked turning into a police state, rejected the request,’’ the statement noted.
According to World Health Organisation figures published on Oct. 15, Liberia has the highest casualty with 2,458 deaths out of 4,493 confirmed, probable and suspected deaths linked to Ebola, recorded in seven countries worldwide.
Ms Mae Azango, a CPJ International Press Freedom Awardee and journalist with the independent FrontPageAfrica, told the watchdog that she had witnessed the incremental pile-up of bodies, at times nearing 100 daily, being deposited for cremation at the only crematorium in Monrovia.
“I am frightened! It is worse than anything you can imagine.
“People are dying on a daily basis, we are dying on a daily basis,’’ she said.
The statement noted that the news that three Liberian journalists died from Ebola was a reminder of the risks the press could face.
Meanwhile, in Sierra Leone, two journalists have reportedly died from Ebola.
With the epidemic rising in spite of a state of emergency, the Sierra Leone government was said to have embarked on a three-day lockdown of the country on Sept. 19 to allow health workers to go door-to-door to educate the public and locate Ebola victims.
According to news reports, this led to the discovery of 130 new cases.
CPJ added that journalists were to show how the press could help a nation in crisis in the midst of the ravaging disease.
“With radio and television which are the main source for information, the media dedicated hours of broadcast time to enlighten the public about the virus,’’ CPJ said.
However, the Sierra Leonean government was said to have openly congratulated journalists and acknowledged their positive contribution to end Ebola.
The government also reportedly called for the media’s continued partnership to combat the virus.
CPJ said with the world focusing on countries stricken with Ebola, any government seeking to suppress the media at this time would surely be viewed as having misplaced priorities.
“Sierra Leone, which has received international commendation for its efforts, seems to understand this.
“Liberia could do more to use the press to help its efforts.
