A story on Poynter's website raises the question of whether journalists will be considered essential workers when COVID-19 vaccines are distributed.
According to the story, the National Press Photographers Association argues that journalists who have direct contact with the public on a regular basis – for example, photojournalists – should be considered essential and critical.
The Shop Talk panelists explain why they also believe journalists should be considered essential workers.
Shop Talk is a weekly panel discussion about journalism issues. This week’s program featured Will Buss, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at Western Illinois University and advises the student editors at the Western Courier, the students at student radio station The Dog, and the WIU chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists; Rajvee Subramanian, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at Western Illinois University; and TSPR News Director Rich Egger.
