KATHMANDU, Nov 1: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has demanded that the government manage proper treatment for all COVID-19 infected people including media persons. 

The FNJ in a statement issued today by its Secretary General Ramesh Bista demanded free PCR tests and treatment of the people including media persons who have been on duty in high infection-risk areas. 

It also urged all working journalists to be serious about their health while discharging their duty in such an adverse situation caused by the infection and put their health security on high priority by adopting health security measures. 

The media sector has been severely hit by the pandemic and more than 400 working journalists have been infected across the country and four others have died from the infection so far, he said. 

He also mentioned that some media houses have expelled working journalists citing COVID-19 infection, denying them their salaries and forcing them to stay on unpaid leave. "Working journalists are facing the double whammy of COVID-19. On the one hand, they are working amid high infection risks. On the other hand, they are facing various hardships. They are also deprived of free PCR tests for the virus and their treatment," reads the statement.

 
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