Saturday December 19, 2020 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, editor | Island Social Trends
Impressed by stories of people helping each other, and tireless commitment — these are two of the things noted by Finance Minister Selina Robinson when addressing media about BC’s fiscal update on Thursday December 17.
She was referring to the wide range of coverage about the COVID-19 pandemic that has been diligently undertaken by professional media across the board: TV, radio, print, and online news portals.
“Your coverage has kept people informed and connected,” said Minister Robinson, adding: “You have been outstanding.”
Robinson said the media in BC has shown “dedication, innovation and hard work” which she says has served people, businesses and communities.
This is an important commentary in juxtaposition with the degree of misinformation and disinformation that is circulated in the easy-access publishing world that is social media. People who post lightly or without credibility may not realize the problems this may cause for others.
Attention to process and detail:
Most media in BC have dialed in to livestreamed media teleconferences presented by Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix, since January of this year — taking the time and interest to develop questions that will lead the public discourse.
Dr Henry has additionally engaged with some media to do additional feature interviews.
Coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic from a political standpoint has also been covered in-depth by mainstream media, including virtual attendance at the many press conferences by Premier John Horgan.
