PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: Not less than three Pakistani journalists have examined constructive for novel coronavirus.
The information got here to the forth on Twitter that two journalists working with Information 24 HD TV and one with AbbTakk TV had contracted COVID-19.
All three, whose names haven’t been disclosed, are based mostly in Lahore.
Mohsin Naqvi, CEO 24 NewsHD, confirmed the event and stated: “We are investigating the possibility of further infected individuals by tests and have quarantined few staff members. We have and will continue to assure that all precautions possible are taken.”
In the meantime, head of a newspaper union claimed three extra reporters (two in Punjab and one in Karachi) have been contaminated of the virus that emerged in China final December.
He lamented the dearth of security kits for beat reporters.
“Most of the reporters covering hospitals asked me for safety kits. After our request to the federal government, they have taken up the responsibility for the treatment of only those reporters and their families who have tested positive,” Chairman All Pakistan Newspaper Workers Confederation (APNEC) Siddique Anzar instructed Anadolu Company.
He stated reporters from smaller cities reminiscent of Dera Ismail Khan and Larkana, moreover being ill-equipped, have been additionally dealing with monetary difficulties due to delays in salaries.
Whereas staffers in digital newsrooms have been requested to earn a living from home, TV reporters need to be out within the subject to replace the plenty.
Sibte Hassan, who experiences for Hum Information from Karachi, stated: “Channels are demanding extensive coverage of this issue… we have to give live hits in every headline and bulletin but they haven’t provided us with any safety kits. I am roaming around in hospitals… I got my safety kit on my own, but many of the field reporters cannot even afford these.”
Aside from the above talked about points, it’s claimed that media homes haven’t been paid their promoting dues for lengthy.
Hamid Mir, a senior journalist stated: “I have even used safety kits in war zones that were very heavy but for corona, it is very light… hand gloves, masks, plastic capes, and sanitisers. We have demanded the government to pay the overdue bills of media houses that are around Rs6 billion so that their staff can get through this lockdown and take care of themselves.”
After Sindh, even Punjab introduced a lockdown. Solely important providers reminiscent of hospitals, grocery shops and pharmacies stay open.
The worldwide demise toll from the virus has exceeded 17,000, with 398,000 circumstances confirmed worldwide, in response to information compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins College.
Within the face of the pandemic, Reporters With out Borders (RSF) have known as on media executives in Pakistan to not ship massive variety of reporters into the filed.
“Everything must be put in place so that they can work from home and avoid any potential source of infection,” it stated in an announcement.
