Print media plagued by 'uncertainty', netizens wonder if there will be any newspapers

As Prime Minister Modi anunced a total lockdown of 21 days in view of Coronavirus pandemic that has recently hit country, print media suffered a setback as newspapers from across several publications remained undelivered nationwide. Many subscribers woke up complaining that y had t received ir newspapers for day.

A journalist by profession tweeted, “Got newspapers today. I subscribe to 10. Anyone kw why?” Commentators answered her query by saying that many of m had faced similar situations this morning and lockdown could be reason. A man from Vadodra claimed that police had said distribution of newspapers has been stopped for time being. “Did t get newspaper in Vadodara today. Yesterday city police had issued an advisory on ir social media p that newspaper delivery is t allowed (sic),” said tweet.

Despite restrictions exempting print and electronic media from carrying out ir functions, delivery of newspapers put local vendors at risk of contracting disease due to movement, as well as risk of transmission. refore, many resident welfare associations prohibited persons from outside to enter colonies in fear of  spread of COVID-19 infection. This has greatly hampered ir business.

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Netizens complained

According to reports, Mumbai, financial capital, has gone third consecutive day without publishing and printing of newspapers as hawkers refused to deliver over speculation that virus could transmit via newspaper. Although such claims have been verified by WHO, fear largely looms among vendors. 

Netizens took to Twitter urging media houses to clarify to public that world health body had anunced that Coronavirus transmission was highly unlikely to transmit via newspapers. Several internet users Tweeted that y were missing out on information as y mostly relied on newspapers and weren't digital-savvy.

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