The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) has published a set of good practice criteria for journalists, photographers and cameramen, the central message of which is that no story, no matter how dramatic, is worth a life.

In a statement it issued together with the guidelines, OHSA said that progress in communication technology and higher competition among media organisations may sometimes lead to media staff unintentionally putting their life at risk to be able to obtain sensational reports and images.

OHSA said a number of media staff who do not necessarily work in areas of violence do not receive advice and training when covering situations taking place within construction sites, quarries or other areas like fireworks factories following an explosion. Following requests from a number of journalists, photographers and cameramen, the authority has published a set of general precautions on basic health and safety criteria, the role of journalists and other media employees and the price of a “scoop”.

The OHSA guidelines make reference to the International Code of Practice for the Safe Conduct of Journalism and deal with the employer’s legal duties to safeguard the health and safety of his or her staff and the role journalists and media staff have in safeguarding health and safety.

The good practice criteria document also warns about risk-taking for commercial advantage.

Further information may be obtained from www.ohsa.org.mt.