THIS IS, perhaps, one of the most challenging and/or exciting times to work in the media. For many journalists, this enduring 'moment' will possibly be the most significant of their careers. That's a huge responsibility - one that members of the profession have carried for more than a year without respite.

Today, journalists live and work with blinding public scrutiny and withering criticism. Everyone knows how to do your job better. Politicians cuss the media while using the same media they are cursing. 'Journalists today is de wuss! is a popular refrain among the Facebook horde.

When I entered the profession in the 1990s, many believed myself and other initiates embodied the end of a golden era in broadcast journalism. We were the bronze age, maybe. Not newshounds, but the other kind of hounds - the less flattering appellation Newsday won't allow me to spell out. But at least Facebook didn't exist in my time.

So, is all the criticism of journalists unfair? Well, like most news stories there are two sides. If I'm honest, at times, I feel let down by my former profession.

During covid19 press briefings, I sometimes think journalists are mainly audience members rather than inquisitors. Too often politicians at those didactic dirges are allowed to get away with either obfuscation or the bare minimum they deem important for the public.

That's why I was so pleased to have my flagging faith reignited while watching a recent press briefing. One journalist, in particular, Joshua Seemungal, was strident in his line of inquiry. It was great work; a vigour and thoughtfulness the PM probably hadn't anticipated.

For example, when Seemungal asked the PM whether he stood by Donna Cox's recent 'greed' remark, Dr Rowley snarled, 'It was not my statement, I don't have to stand by it.' Seemungal didn't leave it there, though. He pressed his point indicating many people believe Cox's statement shows the Government is out of touch with the socio-economic realities in the country; a fair comment.

The only adjustment I would have made would be to ask the PM a more direct follow-up question: do you agree with what your Social Development Minister said? Or, in your opinion, Dr Rowley, was that an appropriate response from the minister to lines of people hoping for hampers?

If you will permit a bit of presumptuousness, here are some more general suggestions for reporters at the covid19 briefings.

Question time is quite short so it's best to use it for the most pressing concerns. Curate your questions beforehand to ensure you're armed with the most relevant ones. Ask senior journalists in your newsroom for guidance on the urgent issues of that day. Then think about how the PM and others are likely to respond to a question and have several follow-up questions in reserve. These people aren't sophisticated creatures; responses are predictable, so use that to your advantage.

It's okay to ask questions that follow up on those posed by journalists from other media houses. The media can work together as a single orga