Jahangir Sofi
Srinagar, May 8: Amid fresh resurgence in Covid-19 positive cases in the valley, Kashmir Press Club-(KPC) assured all possible support in shape of Medical guidance and aid to the Covid-affected media men.
Shuja-Ul-Haq, senior journalist and president Kashmir Press Club (KPC) said that it is important to reach out to each other right now as so many persons associated with the journalism industry have been affected by this pandemic.
“So many of our friends are also getting impacted with this pandemic. We just want to communicate to each one that we are in this together. It is very important to reach out to each other right now. We will do our best to help our comrades in need,” he said.
Notably the media men associated with print, electronic media, photo and video journalists have been on the forefront in reporting the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the valley.
Many journalists while appreciating the initiative taken by the KPC said that journalists in Kashmir have very less organisational support and there is no government welfare support as well. “Given the Pandemic situation, if KPC has come up with this initiative of support to fellow media men is a good one it is done practically on ground.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the journalism industry with many local newspapers have been severely impacted by COVID-19 including advertising revenue losses, while journalists have been laid off, and some publications have gone out of business.
Meanwhile, the media men decried the government’s behaviour of ignoring them, saying that despite discharging duties at the forefront, they were not categorized in the list of people who receive vaccinations on a priority basis.