By Nava Thakuria*
PEC urges everyone not to take Covid-19 lightly
Geneva/ Guwahati: : As the Covid-19 pandemic continues claiming more journalists around the world, the Switzerland based media watchdog Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) urges every one not to take novel corona virus infection lightly. Mentioning about popular Indian television news presenter Vikas Sharma, who died of post-Corona complications, the forum highlighted the persisting danger even after recovering from the infection.
“Till date, we have recorded the deaths of 736 journalists in 63 countries since 1 March 2020, where Peru remains the country with heaviest casualties with 95 dead followed by Mexico (84 victims), Brazil (77), India (55), Italy & Bangladesh (44 each), Ecuador (42), USA (38), Pakistan (23), Great Britain (22), Turkey (21), Ukraine (14), Russia and Panama (12 each), Afghanistan (9), Nepal (3), Indonesia (2), etc,” said Blaise Lempen, secretary-general of PEC.
He also added that the PEC, while offering condolence to families and colleagues of the deceased, started a corona-ticker to pay tribute to those media workers died during the pandemic. Media workers have an important role to play in the fight against the virus as they have to inform about the spread of Covid-19. Their safety is at risk as they must continue to report from the ground and hence the PEC supports the request for early vaccinations for journalists on the frontlines, asserted Lempen.
Republic Bharat anchor Vikas (35) actually recovered from Covid-19. But lately he started feeling unwell for some days and was admitted to Kailash hospital in Noida, where he succumbed to post-corona complications on 4 February 2021. The Kanpur guy, who got admirations as a talented, courageous and responsible scribe, left behind his wife, two minor children and a host of relatives and well-wishers.
*The writer is PEC’s India representative
