By Ashwin Kumar
SHAH ALAM, March 23 — Former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has urged ministers to conduct virtual press conferences to allow journalists the alternative to work from home during the movement control order period.
She said this would be one of the measures to ensure the practice of social distancing and would also allow media practitioners to travel less and reduce their exposure to Covid-19.
“Ministers can record their press conferences and send it to the news organisations for the journalists to prepare their news pieces.
“There are many applications (apps) now that can be used for virtual ‘press conferences’ where journalists are able to ask questions online. Alternatively, press statements can also be sent to the media organisations,” she said in a statement today.
“What’s right should become the norm and the norms should be altered to become what’s right.”
Dr Wan Azizah said due to the insufficient supply of facemasks and gloves, the ministries could help the media in adopting alternative measures in gathering and delivering the news, such as holding press conferences broadcasted on social media accounts.
“Covid-19 is taking a toll on all of us and we really appreciate all the frontliners working non-stop to cure those infected and to keep us safe.
“We must also keep our frontliners safe and this includes our hardworking journalists who bring us the latest news by covering the press conferences,” the statement read.
Dr Wan Azizah added that everyone must look out for each other to overcome the Covid-19 crisis.
