Yasmeen Manzoor
Srinagar, April 26(KNB): Thousands of journalists across the world have been risking their lives to keep the common masses updated on the latest happenings related to the deadly Coronavirus.
In Melancholy, at least 53 journalists from Mumbai tested positive for deadly Covid -19 on 20 April, which is worrisome about the safety of journalists reporting on ground amid pandemic Covid-19.
Pertinently, the emerging positive cases of journalists is traumatic and completely bothersome as they majorly contribute in the frontline worker, who are continuously working under the pressure of covering the constantly evolving situation arisen due to the virus so as to keep the entire public as well as the administration updated.
Earlier, two journalists from Tamil Nadu and one from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh also tested positive for Covid-19 in March after showing some mild symptoms.
While talking to Kashmir News Bureau, one of the journalist from Kashmir, Rameez Makhdoomi said, “The positive testing of Coronavirus of 53 media professional in Mumbai is a matter of great concern. The news channel owners and Newspaper, online media should stop sending their Journalists to Covid hotspots.”
He further said, “We too in Kashmir should get all journalists who are reporting from ground zero especially field reporters and photojournalists tested for COVID. Here too proper protective gear should be provided to the reporters and photojournalists on ground so that they remain safe, and they should not be sent to COVID hotspots by their respective organizations.”
Meanwhile, Congress party in several states in the country demands insurance cover for journalists who are covering COVID19. The Haryana Government and West Bengal government have announced an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh each for journalists who are reporting the Coronavirus.
Another Journalist from Kashmir Irfan Qureshi said, “Two of our Colleagues are among 53 journalists who despite taking all precautionary measures unfortunately tested positive today, we don’t expect any help from the government because if they were really bothered then at least we would have been allowed to work with ease.”
He said, “We are following all the precautionary measures on individual level while performing our professional duties, the only help we want from the government is to allow us to work with ease without any hardships or curbs that will be much enough for us at this time of crisis.”
Pertainently, UNESCO on 27 March stressed on importance of safety of journalists in COVID-19 pandemic. “The role of journalists in informing the public during the ongoing crisis is absolutely pivotal,” said Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Moez Chakchouk, emphasizing that journalistic work can save lives in the current emergency situation.
Meanwhile, Google on Wednesday announced the launch of a Journalism Emergency Relief Fund to help small, medium and local news publishers globally. (KNB)