The daughter of GMA Network Inc’s CEO, Annette Gozon Valdes, was alarmed by what she believed to be a “one-sided” media platform alleging negligence by GMA Network over one of its newsroom workers who tested positive for COVID-19.
On her Facebook account, Valdes shared that some people are quick to make a one-sided story about GMA’s alleged negligence and poor response to handling a COVID-19 positive employee of the network, “Some people are quick to report (or tweet) one side of the story without first getting the other side. This is improper especially when there seems to be some other motivation for doing so. #verifybeforeyouclick”
https://www.facebook.com/annettemgozon/posts/10159978571057519
The said article that Valdes was pertaining was to not mentioned but she immediately apologized as she learned that the said platform also published GMA Network’s statement in regards to the issue.
“I am gratified that all those who reported the initial article also published our statement. Maybe I was too quick to react. These times are really very emotional for everyone in media. I sincerely thank those who published our statement.”
On a Facebook post of Buhay Media PH, the Talents Association of GMA slams the GMA Network for its slow response.
The Association even stressed that the network even mandated the close contacts of the said COVID positive patient to do their quarantine on their own, “As a result, GMA News and Public Relations staff who had close contact with the patient were informed and told to go on their own quarantine, while others – as usual – were kept in the dark until the word had unintentionally spread.”
“There is a clamor among employees that the company will carry out mandatory accelerated training for all newsroom personnel, but so far they have been told that the top management has apparently not yet made an announcement.”
https://www.facebook.com/buhaymedia/photos/a.735565553163396/3111153915604536/?type=3&theater
TAG even revealed that some members of the news staff took their tests on their own which brings more risks to the people that they could infect since they need to break quarantine, “This has left untested newsroom staff to figure out how to get and pay for a rapid test on their own, how to take it without breaking quarantine, and how to do it as soon as possible for the welfare of their colleagues and families. It has been a traumatizing last few days for those who have not been tested yet.”
TAG even asked why the network can’t even pay for the COVID-19 tests of those who were possibly affected when GMA Network got a 10-percent jump in the stock market.
“GMA Network has reported billions in revenues, and its shares recently saw a 10-percent jump in the stock market. Is it so much to ask for the company to do the same, and pay for the COVID-19 tests of at least everyone who has ever stepped foot on its newsroom?”
In contrary to what TAG claimed against the network, GMA said that they immediately went into action.
“Those who had come in direct contact with the COVID positive co-worker were immediately placed on 14-day quarantine with pay… The work areas were thoroughly disinfected on top of the daily disinfection being done,” GMA said.
They also stated that they have carried out free rapid tests for field workers and are “committed to bear the expense of a confirmatory RT-PCR test” for those who may have a positive result due to their exposure to the line of work, their statement read.
As of now, GMA Network assured that they made sure that the newsroom where the COVID-19 positive employee had been is protected and disinfected every day, “To protect its employees, the Newsroom and other work areas are disinfected daily. All News workers were given face masks while alcohol dispensers and footbaths were placed in strategic locations. Social distancing and other safety protocols are mandated. The work spaces were decongested to comply with this. Those who can were allowed to work from home.”
