The WeekendPost Newspaper has been condemned for failing to observe Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) protocols. The mentioned negligence is said to have led to the demise of photojournalist- Thato Dipao.
“While Covid-19 remains a national crisis that has claimed many a life, the circumstances surrounding Ms Dipaoβs infection cannot be ignored. The Union has learned of the blatant disregard for Covid-19 protocols by the Weekend Post management. This breach unfortunately resulted in the entire editorial staff of the newspaper (including Ms Dipao) testing positive for the virus. BOMAWU condemns in the strongest terms, failure by management to abide by the Covid-19 regulations guiding overcrowding, provision of sanitisers, and isolation. This has placed not only the employees but the rest of the public at risk of infection. We call on WeekendPost and the rest of media organisations to place the health of their employees and the public ahead of their own selfish interests.” Phillimon Mmeso, President of Botswana Media and Allied Workers Union (BOMAWU) charged.
The devastating news regarding the passing of Ms. Dipao came to light yesterday. The statement issued by WeekendPost Newspaper revealed that the photojournalist, who was the paper’s chief photographer, had lost a battle to COVID-19 at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital. It is reported that Dipao had her last breath yesterday.
While the government is slow to shift attention to the most affected frontliners, teachers as an example, Phillimon Mmeso calls on the government to recognize media industry as one the frontline workers. “Ms Dipaoβs passing should also act as a reminder to the government of Botswana to recognise the media industry as an important stakeholder in the fight against the pandemic. This recognition can be displayed by, among others, facilitating speedy vaccination for those journalists working in the frontlines” he challenged.
For his part, the Chairperson for Botswana Editors Forum (BEF), Spencer Mogapi has encouraged newsroom managers to encourage working from home, and to observe other COVID-19 protocols.
“Sitting arrangements in newsrooms must provide for social distancing, sanitizers must be provided at a cost to the publisher and remote work must be planned for if it is not implemented already. Letβs do all that we can to save lives while we wait for the vaccine to reach all citizens!” he pleaded.
