World Press Freedom Day

That this deadly virus knows no bounds is a fact. Dozens of journalists losing their lives in the world, including Pakistan, is a wake-up call for media houses and the governments to ensure that media workers do not lack proper protection for covering the pandemic. The World Press Freedom Day, which was marked yesterday, highlighted the grim fact that as many as 55 media workers have so far died after putting their lives in harm's way in various countries, including Pakistan.

There have been reports of coronavirus spread in the offices of different media houses in the country as well, forcing the managements to subject their entire or most of the staff to coronavirus test. The situation constitutes an unprecedented challenge to media houses. They are said to be already finding it extremely difficult to run their TV channels and publications successfully because of hugely lowered revenue receipts following the coronavirus outbreak or spread. But the need for the required protective gears for the media workers cannot be overlooked under any circumstances. In this regard, the government must come to the aid of media houses to help them continue their job of informing people about coronavirus-related developments in particular without let or hindrance.