Promote 'stay at home' campaign : PM Modi's call to media

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said COVID-19 is a lifetime challenge, which is needed to be tackled through new and innovative solutions.

He was speaking to the representatives of news channels through a video conference. Modi urged the media heads to promote 'stay at home' campaign and digital payments and asked the media heads to talk about boosting the immunity.

"The tireless efforts of the reporters, camerapersons, and technicians are a great service to the nation. The media should counter pessimism and panic through positive communication.

The challenge posed by the pandemic needs to be tackled through innovative solutions," Modi told the media persons, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

He also thanked the media for understanding the gravity of the virus threat and appreciated the role played by the news channels in spreading awareness.

"A long battle lies ahead of us, whereby awareness on social distancing has to be spread and information about latest developments and key decisions needs to be communicated swiftly and professionally by the channels through an easy-to-grasp language," the Prime Minister said.

He also said news channels serve as a vital means of feedback and the government is constantly acting on this feedback.

Modi suggested to the channels to provide dedicated boom mics to the reporters in the field and take precautions like maintaining a distance of at least one metre while conducting interviews.

He asked the channels to telecast scientific reports, involve informed people in their discussions and counter the spread of misinformation.