Karnataka HC directs financial aid for families of media persons amid the outbreak of the pandemic

The Karnataka High Court on Friday, May 8, directed the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting as well as Karnataka's Department of Information and Public Relations to consider financial assistance for the families of the media persons amid the pandemic outbreak.

The Bench consisted of Justices BV Nagarathna and Suraj Govindaraj, who held that the media people were risking their lives just to cover the news and communicate it to the citizens. So the HC gave directions to the Central Government as well as the State Governments to provide compensation of 5 lakh rupees to the family members of the media personnel and the newspaper delivery persons in case they die due to Covid-19.

The petitioners held that it was not always possible for the media houses to maintain social distancing and the reporters lacked basic personal protective types of equipment when they go out to cover the news. Hence, media personnel is taking great risks while carrying out their duties. It was also brought up by the petitioners that in Mumbai, about fifty-two media personnel were diagnosed with Covid-19 and were sent to quarantine. The petitioners also pointed out that the Central and state governments had announced schemes for ‘Corona Warriors’ that included medical personnel, police, etc. but no such schemes had been announced for the media department.

The Additional Solicitor General, opposing this plea said that "The petitioners had rushed to the High Court even before their representation could be considered by the governments." He also added that it is for the Central Government and State Governments to decide how compensation schemes must be extended during the current pandemic. After hearing both sides, the Court went in favour of the petitioner and directed the governments to consider the petitioners' representation.

Conclusion

The judgment stated, "We think that the role of journalists and media personnel cannot be underestimated nor undermined during this pandemic and just like the police doctors, nurses, and Government personnel and others who are carrying out essential duties, in the same way, the journalists and other media personnel are on the field to disseminate and convey correct information to the citizens of the country about the impact of the pandemic and also other information from the world over. "

It was further added that "It is also necessary to observe that in times such as the present, where there is a crisis in public health, the media should be responsible to report the true and correct facts and not exaggerate or sensationalise the same to create fear or panic amongst the people who come across such information. Dissemination of information must be truthful and communicated without any exaggeration and not with the object of sensationalizing or creating a fear psychosis amongst the people."