Kathmandu, April 1 : The Minimum Wage Fixation Committee has demanded with the government to consider providing relief packages for the media houses and working journalists working consistently even at the risky situation during the outbreak of COVID-19.    
Issuing a press statement here today, Committee’s President Rajendra Aryal urged for appropriate remuneration and adequate safety to the journalists risking their lives in line of the duty during the lockdown enforced by the government to stem the spread of COVID-19.    
Aryal appealed to the government to immediately announce relief package for the journalists and media houses which were not enlisted in the recipient of relief packages recently announced by the government.    
The press statement reads, “I appeal to the media houses to be more serious and concerned about the safety and security of the working journalists who are in risk in crisis like this.”    
The Committee demanded with the government to prioritize media as a service sector and consider reduction for registration and renewable of media. Also, it has sought support by the government for the small scale media run by journalists in mofussil facing financial crisis.    
Aryal has urged the media and journalists to be sensible at the time of this pandemic and disseminate only authentic and factual news. He has appealed them not to carry false and exaggerated news that would stoke fear among people.