Team News Riveting
The global pandemic had cast its devastating impact on press; killing at least 1580 journalists infected from the COVID-19 across the world.
The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) in its report said that since March 2020, more than 1580 journalists dead from COVID-19 in 78 countries. Until June 30, 2021, the PEC counted the highest number of victims in 20 countries that included India (259) ahead of Brazil (247), Peru (163) and Mexico (115).
Next in line were Colombia with 69 dead, Italy 58, Bangladesh 54, Ecuador 51, the United States 49, Venezuela 47, Argentina 36, Iran 32, Great Britain 30, the Dominican Republic 27, the Pakistan 27, Turkey 27 also, Russia 25, Nepal 19, Bolivia 18, and Panama 16.
The number of victims slowed during the month of June, especially in India, with around 60 dead, compared to more than 200 in the world in May. Latin America witnessed the highest casualties, with more than half of the victims. During the month of June, the highest number of journalists dead from COVID-19 was recorded in Brazil, one every 2 days.
The Government of India had approved Rs 5.05 crore for granting Rs 5 lakh each as assistance to the families of 101 journalists who died due to COVID-19, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed Lok Sabha Friday. Responding to a question, Pawar said in a written reply the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting undertook a special drive for providing financial assistance to the families of such journalists.
