As part of the project “Behind the Camera, Ahead of Health: A Journalist’s Lifetime in the Shadow of Risk” (Iza kamere ispred zdravlja: Novinarski životni vijek u sjenci rizika), the Network for the Affirmation of Socially Responsible Business (MADOP) and the Occupational Safety Association of Montenegro (UZNR CG), in cooperation with the Media Union of Montenegro, and support of Civic Alliance, published the report “Protection and Health at Work of Employees in the Media. Behind the Camera, Ahead of Health: A Journalist’s Lifetime in the Shadow of Risk.”
Employees in media organizations are aware of the importance of health protection; however, they emphasize the lack of support in this regard from employers. This study aims to highlight the urgency of the reaction and the need to protect journalists, since most of them leave the profession, and journalists, as known, have a shorter life expectancy than others. The causes of stress are related to the profession, but also to poor working conditions in the media, as this research has shown. The recommendations of psychologists and occupational health and safety experts emphasize the need for psychological support and education of employees. However, until now there have not been enough conditions or will to implement them.
Recommendations arising from this research include training and education of employees, development of safety protocols, provision of adequate protective equipment, psychological support, legal protection, quality control of existing acts on risk assessment, promotion of safety culture, and appointment of employees for safety and health at work.
The project is supported by the Civic Alliance within the program “No Impunity for Human Rights Violations in Montenegro” financed by the European Union and co-financed by the Ministry of Public Administration.
See the publication here
