TV Journalist Vikas Sharma's Death Brings To Fore Hazards Of Corona, 736 Scribes Have Died So Far Globally
Geneva/ Guwahati, February 5 (TNA) The death of popular television journalist Vikas Sharma owing to post-Corona complications has once again brought to the fore the hazards of the dreaded virus, specially media persons. And so as the Covid-19 pandemic continues claiming more journalists around the world, the Switzerland based media watchdog Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has urged every one not to take novel corona virus infection lightly.
“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 & 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 February 4, 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 & well-wishers, said Nava Thakuria, PEC’s India representative, adding that messages of mourning now start pouring over his sudden demise from different corners.