127 journalists died in 3 months from COVID-19

GENEVA : At least 127 journalists in 31 countries have died due to the novel coronavirus over the past three months, the Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) said Tuesday, foreign media reported.

“Media workers play an important role in the fight against the novel coronavirus. They have to inform about the spread of the disease,” said PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen in a statement. “A number of them died for lack of adequate protective measures when doing their job.”

According to a count by the NGO, between March 1 and May 31, at least 127 journalists died due to COVID-19. Around two-thirds of them were on duty.

In May alone, 72 victims were counted.By region, Latin America was the most affected continent with at least 62 journalists, followed by Europe with 23, Asia 17, North America 13, and Africa 12.