The Federation of Nepali Journalists today said 2020 had been the most challenging year for working journalists and their families due to the unprecedented public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to FNJ, journalists worked on the frontline and were vulnerable to coronavirus infection throughout the year. The umbrella organisation of Nepali journalists also said that mediapersons faced the double whammy of COVID-19 and deprivation of regular salary, pay cut, forced unpaid leave, dismissal from job and unnecessary transfer to coerce them into resigning. It caused financial hardship to the families dependent on journalists.

Despite being infected or at risk of being infected due to the nature of their work, journalists had been compelled to bear the expenses for PCR tests even when they were deprived of regular pay.

https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/2020-a-tough-year-for-nepali-journos-says-fnj/