Today’s code is on
JOURNALISTS ARE CLASSED AS KEY WORKERS
THE Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent government response has changed how everyone works and our journalists are no different.
Like everyone else, our reporters have experienced this upheaval as our professional and personal lives have become intertwined as a result of the pandemic.
The Derby Telegraph is abiding by government guidance and our reporters are working from home in the vast majority of cases.
Temporary offices have been set up in places where they weren’t before and equipment – such as monitors and keyboards – is being used in kitchens, back bedrooms, dining rooms and even sheds.
We are trying to limit the amount of face-to-face contact we have with members of the public in an effort to do our bit to stop the spread of the virus.
This means we try to do as many interviews as we can either over the phone or by email.
If a picture is needed we will ask someone who is already there to take it. The people of Derbyshire are often more than happy to help us with this, which we are grateful for.
However, there are circumstances where we have to go out to do our jobs.
This could either be because of a breaking incident, where we need eyes on the ground, or because there is simply no other way to speak to someone who is part of a story.
In these cases, our reporters will try to stick to government guidance as best as they can and we will carry a press card or employment document so we can be identified by police on the lookout for people breaking the rules. If we knock on someone’s door, we will take a step back to maintain a two metre distance and keep face to face interviews to a maximum of 15 minutes.
We will wear masks, regularly wash our hands and use hand gel. We do not share equipment, we don’t car share and we’ll try to avoid enclosed spaces where possible. Journalists at both national and regional news organisations have been listed as key workers by the Government since it introduced the phrase at the beginning of the pandemic.
This means if our reporters have child children, they are allowed to go to school if they have to, although mo most staff try their be best not to have to d do this.
It’s not an ideal s situation for anyo one, not for us and n not for the public, bu but our hope is that by complying with the guidance, we can do our bit to help stop Covid and get life back to normal l as soon as possible.
Our reporters will try to stick to government guidance as best as they can and we will carry a press card.