Armed with last year’s lessons, news organisations face the COVID battleground again

As COVID-19 cases see a huge surge across the country again, news channels have put in place standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure safety of their employees as well as for the smooth operation, similar to the ones that worked so well for the news operations amid the first COVID-19 wave last year.

While the entire world was caught unawares in 2020, this year, there are several valuable lessons from last year that are helping businesses blunt the impact of the disruptions.

Safety, hygiene, healthcare and welfare of the employees top the concerns of the news organisations. Along with this, usage of advanced technology is helping the organisations in managing the newsroom operations and coordinating with the team working from home.

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As shared by the official spokesperson of ABP Network, “As COVID-19 cases see a steep rise across the country, we are once again laser-focused on strengthening occupational safety and health, adjusting work arrangements, and providing access to health care and paid leaves to all our employees, to tackle this new wave effectively.”

He further said, “We have been strategically managing our newsrooms through a systemic division within production and editorial teams to reduce the risk of contagion. As per this system, two mutually exclusive groups have been formed that work on 12-hour shifts in the office, on an alternate week basis. Further, we are encouraging certain teams like the Digital team and the corporate teams to work from home by supporting them in myriad ways. Even as we move forward, we will keep evaluating how to best support our teams while efficiently managing our newsrooms and roll out relevant measures to protect the health and safety of every individual during this difficult time.”

Speaking about how Republic TV is geared to face the COVID-19 second wave, its spokesperson said, “We have maintained similar levels of alertness and team isolation. Interactions are limited. Pickup and Drops in sanitized vehicles have remained the most potent isolation mechanism.”

He also observed that this time, the wave has been a lot more severe and despite all precautions it is becoming difficult to avoid infection to some member or the other. “But we maintain testing and isolation at the earliest sign of any team member getting exposed,” he added.

In an earlier interaction with Adgully, S Srivathsan, EVP & Head – Human Resources, Times Network, had said, “Employee safety and well-being has been the top priority for us at Times Network. With our preparedness and vigilance, we have successfully and seamlessly transitioned to Work From Home (WFH) for almost all our non-production staff, including our editorial staff. Latest technology, hitherto unexplored for LIVE news television, has been implemented to allow a LIVE news production work to happen from remote locations like homes. We have standby crews as backups, safety gears and equipment have been given to all personnel and all safety protocols are followed to ensure our employees safety, as we deliver uninterrupted news to our viewers.”

Speaking about the measures undertaken by PTC to ensure smooth and safe continuation of the newsroom operations, a PTC spokesperson informed Adgully, “We do fumigation every night and sanitization several times a day. No visitors are allowed. Cooking and providing all meals are in the premises. Those who have had COVID earlier are encouraged to do extended duties and regular RT-PCR tests are arranged.”

To ensure safety of its reporters in the field, PTC is encouraging them to avoid going to crowded places as well as maintaining distance from the person being interviewed and using gimbal with smart mikes.

On the challenges being faced in news gathering amid re-introduction of lockdowns and curfews, the PTC spokesperson said, “Fortunately, there are no such curbs in Punjab, which is our main area of operation. However, we have used drones as well mobile in such areas when the last lockdown happened. The ingrained spirit of reporting from ground zero, however, does make reporters take risks.”

He further said that they have better equipment and technology. In case of emergencies, PTC has lined up anchoring facilities from home for news anchors. “We also utilise remote newsgathering and streaming services which operate on mobile phones. We have successfully been hosting international discussion shows with this technology. Also, with 23 reporters across 19 cities worldwide, including Rome, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Australia, Canada, New York, California, means we have had the largest on-ground worldwide coverage of Corona for any Indian news channel. We have also had the distinction of being the only Indian TV channel accredited at the White House,” he added.