Politicians under the limelight, cameras rolling, and disorder reigning: When spectacle and material win over sympathy
In the aftermath of a severe fire incident in Bangladesh that left numerous victims requiring urgent medical attention, the importance of ethical journalism during medical emergencies has come to the fore. The Milestone tragedy, as it has come to be known, serves as a case study for understanding the role of the media in such critical situations.
The incident, which occurred on the same day as another tragedy, saw ambulances carrying victims delayed from reaching the emergency ward due to the presence of advisers and political leaders. Thousands of curious onlookers gathered around the hospital entrance, turning it into a scene of chaos.
In the midst of this chaos, a journalist and videographer approached a victim seeking details, a practice that Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed, a mental health researcher, warned could cause lasting psychological harm. He emphasized the importance of giving victims time to recover from trauma before being questioned by journalists.
To ensure victims received proper treatment, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, offered "counsel" after his visit to the hospital. However, despite repeated pleas from doctors, top leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, visited the hospital, causing further disruption.
In light of these events, it is crucial to establish ethical guidelines for journalist behaviour during medical emergencies. Respect for privacy and confidentiality, accuracy and truthfulness, avoidance of sensationalism, non-interference in medical operations, support for ethical reporting, and collaboration with health experts are key principles to uphold.
By adhering to these guidelines, journalists can ensure that their reporting during medical emergencies is ethical, responsible, and beneficial to the public. In the case of the Milestone tragedy, it would be important to document the event accurately, respect privacy, provide useful information, and avoid sensationalism.
Altaf Parvez, a researcher and political analyst, criticized the sudden rush towards populism among all parties, defining it as "a brutal form of populism." He pointed out the chaos caused by thousands gathering in front of the hospital, competing to capture the closest photo or most dramatic clip for online sharing.
In conclusion, ethical journalism during medical emergencies involves balancing the need for information with respect for privacy, accuracy, and sensitivity to the situation—principles that can be applied universally, including in the context of a specific case study like the Milestone tragedy. It is inappropriate for a victim to give a statement immediately after a traumatic incident, and physical treatment must come first, allowing the traumatized person time to regain composure.
- During the Milestone tragedy, mental health researcher Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed emphasized the need to respect victims' time for trauma recovery before questioning them by journalists.
- In the case of medical emergencies, it's crucial for journalists to adhere to ethical guidelines such as respect for privacy, accuracy, truthfulness, avoidance of sensationalism, non-interference in medical operations, support for ethical reporting, and collaboration with health experts.
- Political analyst Altaf Parvez criticized the sudden rush towards populism among political leaders, which he defined as a brutal form of populism, hinting at the chaos that ensued around the hospital during the Milestone tragedy due to the presence of advisers and political leaders.
- To maintain ethical standards during critical situations like the Milestone tragedy, it's essential to prioritize physical treatment first, giving traumatized individuals time to regain composure, before gathering statements or attempting to report sensational details.
