UNRS: The most important information about the pandemic should only be announced at press conferences

(Patria) - The Association of Journalists of Republika Srpska calls on representatives of institutions to communicate the most important information about the pandemic caused by the coronavirus and the preventive measures being
introduced, exclusively at press conferences accessible to all media.

"We consider the practice initiated by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, Dragan Lukač, to be inappropriate. It is not fair to the citizens of Republika Srpska, nor to the media, to announce key measures that affect everyone's lives, such as the introduction of a curfew or fines for those who do not have protective medical masks, on the program of any private media house.

Information about such matters must be communicated to everyone in a timely manner and under equal conditions. Only then will the common goal be achieved – quality and comprehensive public information. We emphasize the almost impeccable attitude of most institutional representatives towards the public and media workers, and the consistent application of measures that protect the health of our colleagues in press conference rooms.
In the fight to suppress and eradicate the dangerous virus, the fact that our media, with negligible exceptions, adhere to the ethical code of reporting and the guidelines stated in the statement of the Association of Journalists of Republika Srpska issued before the start of the pandemic in RS is also encouraging.

The Association of Journalists of Republika Srpska also appeals to the Emergency Situations Headquarters to include media houses facing the greatest damage in the economic support measures for endangered business entities.