New Delhi, Tuesday,

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In the occasion of National Press Day the Accredited Journalists Association on Tuesday vociferously raised the demands to ensure the rights of pandemic-hit journalists and their families In a press conference at the Press Club of India. The demand was made by the active body of AJA (R) from the union and state governments to look after the families of those Covid warrior journalists who lost their lives in their line of duty.

Ramakant Goswani, Senior Journalist and former Minister, Govt. Of Delhi in his address said, “The devastating impact of cCovid can be clearly seen in top media houses.

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Several journalists have lost their jobs and opted something other than their professional skills. But the smaller media publications don’t get much attention said Ramakant He added that it is high time for the government to see through it and provide compensation to the families of journalists.”

Vijayshankar Chaturvedi, President, Accredited Journalist Association (R) in his address said : “There are many unprecedented stories of covid warrior journalists who sacrificed their lives during their reportage on Covid and lockdown. It is very unfortunate that despite their ultimate sacrifices, their families were left in lurch compelling them to run from pillar to posts. We demand that government must pay 50 lakh to 1 crore compensation must be given to families of deceased Covid warrior journalists. It will help their families sustain the impact of devastating loss of their loved ones.” emphasised Vijay Shanker Chaturvedi.

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Guest of Honour Press Club of India chief Umakant Lakhera in his address said, that the regional and local newspapers and stringers are the backbone of top notch media houses in the country. Pandemic has affected their profession, ultimately their livelihood. We being the watchdog of journalism collectively opine that everyone should come forward in support of those who informed us about every health related information on corona virus while the rest of the country was under a nationwide lockdown. We demand that all those 60+ journalists who lost their bread and butter during the pandemic must be given a compensation amount of 25000/month.”

Educationist Manoj Kumar Sharma urged all state governments, union territories and the central government to implement a group insurance scheme for the journalists. The bodies of press must pitch the governments to include the journalists in the category of ‘COVID warriors’ like doctors and confer them with the similar benefits and grant immediate financial aid to the kin of all those journalists who died due to COVID-19.” asserted Manoj Kumar.

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