Press Club of Assam (PCA), while appreciating Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and health-finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for offering the insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh to working journalists of the State, urged for financial supports to media persons facing a severe financial crisis because of ongoing nationwide lockdown to break the chain of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

Newspapers across the country are losing circulations and advertisement revenues drastically due to the uncertainty prevailed at this moment. Free to air satellite news channels are also facing difficulties as commercial advertisers have significantly reduced their contributions. The development has resulted in delayed payments, pay-cuts and even job-loss for a significant number of media employees.

“Many organisations and individuals are extending supports to media persons in kinds, but it will not serve the purpose for a longer period. We would like to appeal to the government for considering some financial assistance to them at the earliest,” added the statement issued by PCA president Kailash Sarma and general secretary Hiren Chandra Kalita.

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