Include journalists in 'Covid warriors' category, Press Council tells Centre, state governments

Many journalists have died on duty while reporting the Covid-19 pandemic

The Press Council of India on Thursday reiterated its recommendation to the Centre and state governments that journalists be included in the category of 'Covid warriors' and also given insurance cover.

In a statement, the print media watchdog commended the governments of Odisha, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh who have considered journalists among "frontline workers for their hard work in this pandemic situation" and have extended financial help to them.

The Press Council of India (PCI) reiterated its recommendation to the Centre and state/Union territory governments regarding insurance of journalists and for including journalists in the category of Covid-19 Warriors.

Read more: Karnataka declares journalists as frontline Covid workers

While reiterating its resolution of September last year, the PCI urged all state governments, Union territories and the central government to frame and implement a group insurance scheme for the journalists on the lines of the policy framed by the Haryana government.

The Council also recommended to the central, state governments and the Union territories to include the journalists in the category of 'Covid warriors' like doctors, confer them with the same benefits and give immediate financial assistance to the families of all those journalists who died due to Covid-19.

The Council, therefore, urges the central government as well as state/UT governments to take necessary steps for the welfare of journalists, the statement said.

Fresh coronavirus cases and fatalities in India hit a record daily high with 4,12,262 new infections and 3,980 fatalities being reported, taking the tally of cases to 2,10,77,410 and the death toll to 2,30,168, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.