United States: CFWIJ Is Concerned For The Well-being Of Journalists Working In Harsh Weather

Threats
Written By 
Location: United States, Texas
Date: February 20, 2021

The harsh weather conditions in Texas and the East Coast are hindering the work of both media outlets and key workers. Snowstorm hits many media outlets that are unable to broadcast due to power outages. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) shares its utmost concern for the well-being of journa

From Texas to the East Coast in the United States, the deadly cold weather still affects the country with snow, rain or ice. Many key workers including the journalists and newsrooms are dealing with power outages that were forced off the air. Many journalists have to work without heat or water shortage. Considering the pandemic health crisis, these continuing harsh conditions also threaten many people's health.

Brittney Cottingham, assistant news director at KFDX, took her Twitter account to announce that the newsroom had to cut off the air due to the power outage. She said It was bound to happen. Power outages have hit the TV station. We are off the air at @TexomasHomepage. #texaswinterstorm What a day.”

Austin PBS's Estefanía de León also took attention to the deadly cold weather on her Twitter. She reported, “This is infuriating. We spent 58 hours straight with no power, freezing. Now that we have power, we’re doing our part to conserve.”

NOWCastSA’s Executive Director, Charlotte-Anne Lucas, underlined the harsh conditions that the reporter faced. “Don't forget the astonishing stress Texas journalists have endured this week. Many are working without heat or reliable water,” she added.

Simone De Alba, the weeknight evening co-anchor of News4 San Antonio, said that the situation was worse than it appeared on TV. Simone said “I was getting calls/texts from friends across the country yesterday. All of them asking if things are as bad as they look on tv. My response: it’s worse. Unlike anything I’ve seen or experienced before.”

CBS Austin’s reporter Melanie Torre also underlined the hassle she faced while she was reporting about the snowstorm. Melanie said “These sidewalks are TREACHEROUS. I almost wiped out more than a dozen times walking about two blocks,” “Even the tracks people have already made are slick. I know walking in the street is very unsafe but now I absolutely understand why people who have to leave home are doing it,” she added.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is utterly concerned about journalists well-being in these harsh conditions. We applaud all journalists who have proved to us that journalism should continue under all circumstances. Our thoughts and supports are always with them.

 

The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.

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