Dear NNC members,

We’re reaching out with huge congratulations to each of you for your dedicated commitment to public service during these uncertain times. We know your readers appreciate very much your heroic efforts to serve the needs of your communities by providing steady access to accurate, reliable, and trustworthy information. Your hard work in extraordinary circumstances is concrete evidence of how vital the news media is during a time of crisis.

For our part, NNC staff are in the second week of working from home, but we are still on the job to deal with your questions, any complaints, or to offer advice. For the moment, email is the best way to reach us, but we are also following up on phone messages.

Below are a few resources that might be helpful as you and your staff deal with the COVID 19 situation – both from the standpoint of how to report on it, and on how to deal with the ramifications at a personal and family level.

This information, from our friends at Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma, is aimed at helping to counter stress and promote safety for journalists.

Our partners at the Poynter Institute have offered these tips on covering the pandemic, including refresher advice on writing. As well, they offer an important read on the role of the press during times of crisis.

The Canadian Association of Journalists has published an open-source guide that offers tips and best practices for newsrooms.

This advice from the Ethical Journalism Network has rapidly become part of the new normal.

CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) has some helpful FAQs for your own care or that of your family and friends.

Best wishes to all – don’t hesitate to call on us!

Kind regards,

Pat, Brent, Cara