Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said media have to ensure that people don’t let their guard down but also need to counter pessimism and panic through positive communication.
It is necessary to keep the doctors and health care workers motivated since they are at the forefront of this fight, he said.
‘A long battle lies ahead of us whereby awareness for social distancing has to be spread and information about latest developments and key decisions needs to be communicated swiftly and professionally by the channels through easy to grasp language.’
He thanked the media for understanding the gravity of the pandemic threat from day one and appreciated the role played by the channels in spreading awareness.
Mr Modi interacted with key stakeholders from Electronic Media Channels through video conference to discuss the emerging challenges in light of the spread of COVID-19.
He commended the dedication and commitment of the reporters, camerampersons and technicians who are working tirelessly in the field and in newsrooms across the country, calling their work as service to the nation.
He also praised innovative ideas of some channels like making arrangements for anchoring from home.
‘The media world has played a great role in spreading awareness on subjects related to COVID-19. I salute all those media persons who have been reporting from the ground as well as in the newsroom. Happy to see channels facilitating ‘work from home arrangements’ for their teams,’ he said in a series of tweets.
He requested all media houses to ‘ keep reiterating the importance of social distancing and being indoors’. ‘Even greater caution, zero carelessness,’ he maintained.
Mr Modi urged electronic media to counter misinformation related to COVID-19, which is creating panic.
‘Urged electronic media to counter misinformation related to COVID-19, which is creating panic. Also urged them to take relevant precautions in their own organisations especially when their team members do on ground reporting,’ he said in his missive.
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