The Media Ethics Council of Macedonia (SEMM) and the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (ZNM) have developed Guidelines for safe and professional reporting on the coronavirus (COVID-19) (available in English at: https://znm.org. mk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Guidelines-for-safe-and-professional-reporting-on-coronavirus-COVID-19.pdf). The guidelines for professional, responsible and ethical reporting on the coronavirus have been prepared as part of the commitment to encourage the significant role of the media in the correct understanding of the outbreak of the coronavirus, its consequences and ways of effective prevention. The guidelines are based on the recommendations of international organizations, such as Poynter, First Draft, Journalist’s Resource, Open Notebook, Reframe, the World Health Organization (WHO), experienced journalists, scientists and experts.
In addition to this, the purpose of the Guidelines is to offer basic information for the protection of journalists and media workers in the performance of their work duties in the field and in the newsrooms and studios, first of all, to protect themselves, but also to protect others around them. during the performance of his duties. These Guidelines have been welcomed by UNESCO (https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-welcomes-press-councils-call-professional-reporting-covid-19-south-east-europe)
