Former APP journalist contracts coronavirus

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 6 April 2020

Zafar Rasheed Bhatti, an ex-chief reporter of APP, has tested positive for coronavirus and is on a ventilator. The situation highlights the unpreparedness of media workers in Pakistan.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Zafar Rasheed Bhatti, a former chief reporter of Associated Press of Pakistan and an ex-president of its employees' union, has contracted coronavirus.

According to Afzal Butt, a senior journalist and union leader, Bhatti was on a ventilator.

Three other media workers in Pakistan also reportedly tested positive earlier.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported that "the initial chaos and lack of PPE for journalists reveals the lack of training and understanding of covering such a pandemic in Pakistan.

"It is clear that, with a lack of safety guidelines and protocols to protect journalists and media workers, the media in Pakistan were disturbingly unprepared to cover this deadly outbreak."

KEY POINTS:

• Zafar Rasheed Bhatti is a former chief reporter of APP.
• He is currently on a ventilator due to coronavirus.
• Three other media workers in Pakistan have also tested positive.
• IFJ criticizes the lack of PPE and training for journalists.
• Media in Pakistan were unprepared for the pandemic coverage.