Nine days ago, freelance journalist Ashoka Mukpo was diagnosed with Ebola in Liberia after being on contract with NBC news for less than 48 hours. He was flown back to the U.S. earlier this week by NBC News. Prior to NBC, Ashoka was working for VICE News during the period he most likely, according to CDC and WHO estimates, contracted Ebola. VICE, to date, has refused to respond to repeated calls asking for comment on whether they are assisting to ensure that the freelance journalist will have his medical expenses paid for. Now, a crowd sourcing campaign from gofundme, apparently launched by his family, is trying to raise $500,000 to cover his projected medical expenses, suggesting that his medical costs may not be covered by his corporate media employers. VICE Media and NBC News need to clarify whether they are covering the full medical costs of the journalist for the risks he took to provide them the news product they deemed important enough to hire him to supply. It is quite obvious that the lawyers and bean counters at VICE and NBC news have taken over the issue of who, if anyone, will pay the full medical costs of the journalist stricken with Ebola. It is time that both the media organizations made a full and public disclosure of their intentions to meet their obligations to ensure that freelance journalists are fully covered for the risks that they are asked to undertake on behalf of the media companies that employ them to do so. Call VICE and NBC and ask for a clear and unqualified explanation of why the medical costs of their journalist are being relegated to a public charity appeal simultaneously to both organizations selling the product they bought from his efforts for profit. From the gofundme appeal: We thought you might all like to see some of the great work that Ashoka contributed to while he was in Liberia covering the Ebola outbreak. Please see the attached video that Ashoka worked on with VICE. Ashoka Mukpo is a 33 year old freelance journalist, photographer, and former advocate working in Liberia with a local NGO, focusing on land development and workers’ rights. Aside from the work that he does, he is a son, brother, uncle, fiance, friend and an inspiration to many. While working in Liberia during the previous two years, Ashoka developed a strong connection to the people and their culture. Hearing of the crisis unfolding in a place where he was so warmly welcomed, and understanding the potential consequences, he was compelled to return in order to document and display to the rest of the world what was happening. Ashoka contracted Ebola while coving the outbreak of the disease in Liberia. It is unclear exactly how he became infected but he believes it may have been while helping sanitize a car in which someone had died. Ashoka self-quarantined after feeling weak and achy, and a short time later tested positive for the Ebola virus at a treatment center run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Monrovia. Ashoka received care in Monrovia until he was transported back to the United States on Sunday, October 5th. He is now recieving world class care at the University of Nebraska Medical Center We are reaching out to help cover the enormous projected cost of Ashoka’s medical care, and to allow for his family to aid in, and properly support him during his recovery. It is anticipated at this time that Ashokas medical expenses and family support will exceed $500,000. We are very grateful to the US government and the doctors, nurses and support staff who have provided Ashoka with such excellent care. We have every reason to believe that Ashoka will make a full recovery and return to his great work helping those around the world. Thank you in advance for your generous donation and please keep Ashoka and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 03:25:48 +0000
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