Several major U.S. media groups believe “front-line” journalists should be among those who get early access to vaccines.
The organizations sent a letter to a committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
They say journalists who provide “critical and essential functions in their communities” should be included in the early phases. They emphasize the work of journalists as “a lifeline of important health information” and an important part of public education about the value of vaccines and the logistics involved.
The National Association of Broadcasters is one of the signatories.
“While highlighting the risk to journalists who are in the field reporting about health care workers and patients, meeting with people in essential businesses and covering rallies, protests and public events, the letter clearly specifies that the most at-risk populations should come first,” NAB wrote in a press release about it.
“The news media organizations support prioritizing vaccines for front-line health care workers, first responders and others providing critical support, as well as the most at-risk populations. However, the letter urges the committee to consider the essential role of journalists and the risks they encounter as it develops subsequent phases of vaccine deployment.”
Among organizations signing it are PBS, the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Association and numerous other journalism groups.
