Coronavirus has changed the daily rhythm of newsrooms. Reporters have to work from home, be more careful and avoid disseminating non-verified, non-official, suspicious information. The state of emergency declared on March 16 also refers to the media activities.

Media.am has talked to the editors of four Yerevan-based media, to find out how they organize their “stay-at-home” work in the state of emergency.

CivilNet

Starting from March 17, CivilNet has switched to a special working regime – reporters, editors and camera operators will work from home. All the activities will be coordinated through conference calls, phone calls and group chats. No interviews will be filmed in the studio in the upcoming days.

Reporters and camera operators will go to shooting locations from their homes, if necessary. Company cars will be used for that purpose to avoid taxis and public transport. Shooting in public locations will be conducted only in very important cases. The editorial board shall provide the shooting crew with masks, Alcogel and other necessary materials.

There will be more podcast interviews on the website, as well

1in.am

The only problem at this moment is about studio shootings – under the current circumstances, many interviewees refuse to visit the studio.

Factor.am

Despite the fact that some reporters insisted on working from the newsroom, the editorial board decided to switch to a “stay-at-home” regime. The doors of the editorial office are closed; all the contacts are made through conference calls, E-mail correspondence or just phone calls.

Everybody has all the necessary devices to work from home. All the events that need a reporter’s and a camera operator’s presence are covered accordingly.

Reporters have a common database of sources and contacts to facilitate their work. Fewer video stories are being produced.

The editorial board hopes that the official info will be complete, comprehensive and timely during the state of emergency, so that the public can always have access to information.

There are no decisions about returning to the newsroom yet.

Kentron TV company, Epikentron newscast

The newscast team has been working as usual. Reporters mainly refer to official and verified information, being specifically careful about analytical and opinionated stories.

There is no lack of stories in the newsfeed, although lots of events have been postponed and canceled. Reporters mainly produce “column-style” stories on relevant topics.

Reporters join the official events online – in many cases they manage to ask online questions, get answers and build their stories without attending the event.

Gayane Asryan