THE COVID PARADOX: RECORD AUDIENCES, SHRINKING REVENUES
Worldwide, media business models are collapsing with the new economic downturn, and attacks on media freedom have increased sharply. But if there is one ray of hope in the tragedy of this pandemic, it could be that Covid-19 is re-awakening people to the vital role that independent media plays in their societies.
Covid-19 and the media: A pandemic of paradoxes
As journalists on the frontline have supplied essential live-saving information to massively expanded audiences in need of reporting they could trust, advertising revenues have collapsed, leaving public interest media struggling to survive.
This report covers responses to the infringement of the right to freedom of information, misinformation on social media and the impact on public interest media caused by the Covid-19 pandemic with a human-rights based approach and gender-sensitive lens.
GLOBAL CHALLENGES - LOCAL SOLUTIONS
Across the world, media are finding new, creative ways to inform citizens, debunk false information and present the facts. On Wednesday 9 December, eight IMS media partners joined UNESCO’s virtual World Press Freedom Conference 2020 to share challenges, learnings and solutions from covering the pandemic.
Further examples of outstanding public-service journalism from our partners around the world
Armenia: Weaponising Coronavirus
In Armenia, a swift reopening of the country and a viral disinformation campaign has put the country’s weak health care system on the verge of
The paradox facing media: record audiences, shrinking revenues
The paradox facing media: record audiences, shrinking revenuesThe crisis caused by the novel coronavirus has shaken the media business worldwide. New opportunities have appeared for
Palestinian media: Covid-19 is a time to talk about rights and equality
As the outbreak of Covid-19 has left many Palestinians in an extremely vulnerable situation, local media and media organisations have used the pandemic to firmly
Sri Lanka: Media and fact-checkers tackle Covid-19 ‘infodemic’
One year after the Sri Lanka bombings, independent media are playing an important role in demystifying the coronavirus, steering clear of stereotypes and debunking false
Tunisia: A growing appetite for fact-checks
As Covid-19 is giving life to false information and conspiracy theories in Tunisia, independent media platform Nawaat is seeing a growth in the number of
Jordan: Podcast is challenging the official Covid-19 narratives
As the only podcast covering the Coronavirus in the Middle East and North Africa, Sowt goes behind the official numbers and shines light on the
Zimbabwe: Covid-19 tracker to prevent pandemic spread
In Zimbabwe, creative organisation Magamba has launched a Covid-19 tracker allowing people to follow how the pandemic is progressing in the country, but more importantly
Philippines social news network challenges government’s narrative
As the Philippines is in lockdown and people are at home, social news network Rappler is reaching millions of people through social media stories informing
Myanmar: Community media stops Covid-19 panic
On March 23 the first case of Covid-19 infection in Myanmar was confirmed in Chin state, one of the poorest regions of the country. A
Syria: Local radio station helps to flatten the curve
In North Eastern Syria, local authorities were not prepared for the coronavirus crisis. As a result, local media ARTA FM made it their mission to
Philippines: Podcast steers clear of Coronavirus hysteria
As the Coronavirus panic was rising in the Philippines, Puma Podcast decided to calmly lay out the facts and steer away from sensationalism and hysteria.Take
Iraq: The numbers don’t add up
Demand for independent media grows in Iraq as Covid-19 wakes people up to the need for impartial information.Activists see the crisis as a chance to
EXPANDING SCOPE & PUBLIC DEMAND
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, our partner organisations are exploring new ways to inform and connect with their audiences. They’re helping prevent panic, amplifying the voices of those affected, and helping mitigate the social and economic costs for the people and societies in which they work.
GROWING DEMAND FOR INDEPENDENT MEDIA?
Several partners have reported unprecedented audience growth since the crisis began.
A pan-Arab digital platform providing in-depth reporting and analysis
1%
Audience growth
Rappler, is a social news network in the Philippines
1
views on Covid-19 Facebook live session
Al Menasa is one of Iraq’s few independent media outlets
1%
Audience Growth
Challenges
THREATS TO MEDIA FREEDOM
While we’re seeing encouraging signs from several of our partners, others are complaining of increasing restrictions and reprisals. In many places, emergency measures to contain the pandemic pose serious risks to press freedom if they become fixed. The International Press Institute is closely monitoring media freedom violations linked to Covid-19. Click below to see their work.
Covid-19 Asia: Rights Repressed
Covid-19 has eroded democracy and respect for human rights in large parts of Asia with strongmen governments using the pandemic to justify a crackdown that was already well underway.
In the Asia Rights Repressed Journalism Series, six media outlets from Nepal, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Cambodia and the Philippines document how Covid is being used to repress political, social and economic rights, affecting in particular, the most vulnerable.
Resources
COVID-19 REPORTING GUIDELINES
Clarity and accuracy in reporting can save lives. IMS has produced guidelines to help journalists get it right. Click the images to download the guides. Read why clarity matters here.
