Mumbai: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has announced financial aid to the families of journalists who lost their lives due to the coronavirus pandemic. The families of scribes were provided a cheque of Rs 10 lakh each.

Adityanath was accompanied by India TV editor-in-chief and chairman Rajat Sharma, who also paid tributes to the deceased journalists.

"TV, print, digital journalists not only covered news during the lockdown, but they also worked as a bridge between the government and the common people. I am proud to say that people from the media fraternity faced the challenge bravely," said Sharma, adding that there were also times when people stepped out of their homes but did not follow the COVID-19 protocols. “During such times too, our reporters and camera persons spoke to people and questioned them. Some even disrespected journalists upon questioning, however, they continued to do their job and even urged the people to wear masks and follow the coronavirus protocols.”

Sharma said as the president of NBA, he had also urged the chief minister to provide vaccination for journalists. "The coronavirus pandemic is yet not over and those who have yet not received their vaccination jab should go for it at the earliest,” he added.

“Over 25 thousand journalists were vaccinated during the drive," said the chief minister Yogi Adityanath. During the second wave of the pandemic, many journalists across the country got infected on duty and lost their lives, leaving their families helpless, the UP government said.