The Delhi Government on Thursday wrote a letter to the central government to consider journalists as frontline workers and vaccinate them against COVID-19.
The letter pointed that journalists have more risk of getting infected by Covid due to fieldwork. Therefore, a vaccine for them is necessary.
It further noted that the mass media in all its forms is a vital bridge between the government and the public. A group of workers that have been in the forefront with the health workers in the most difficult times is that of media personnel.
Throughout the pandemic, the media has continued to play an active role in keeping the people informed about the disease, its consequences, prevention, efforts of the health and other concerned departments, and what the people are expected to do to keep themselves safe.
The government also noted that journalists’ role as an important ally cannot be denied. Going out in the field, visiting hospitals to gather information, interviewing patients/attendants and their treating healthcare providers exposes them to the hazard of infection same as the other frontline workers. It is requested that this personnel be placed in the category of frontline workers so that protection of the vaccination can be offered to them.”
