Facebook pledges $100 million for news organisations amid COVID-19 crisis

In a bid to help media deliver “accurate and timely information” as world is rocked with unprecedented outbreak of dely coronavirus, Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg anunced $100 million in new funds to support journalists on March 30. In a Facebook post, Zuckerberg ackwledged that journalists are working “under very difficult conditions” in order to keep ir communities informed. refore, California-based company has pledged $25 million for emergency funding through Facebook Journalism Project and $75 million in marketing to support media personnel and news organisations covering pandemic. 

According to reports, first round of Facebook’s funds went to at least 50 local newsrooms in United States and Cana. American businesses have stood up in several ways to contribute to impact of pandemic as many or firms have been forced to scale back ir operations. On March 27, Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc said that it would donate at least $800 million in funds and vertisement credits to businesses, government and health organisations. 

Zuckerberg said, “As part of our efforts to support news ecosystem and make sure everyone has access to accurate and timely information, we're investing $100 million in new funds to support journalists, especially focused on local news.”

He ded, “Right w journalists are working under very difficult conditions to keep ir communities informed, and many news organizations are struggling due to ecomic impact of outbreak”.

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Coronavirus outbreak

coronavirus, which originated in China in December 2019, has w claimed over 37,830 lives worldwide as of March 31. According to tally by international news ncy, pandemic has w spre to 200 countries and has infected at least 786,332 people. Out of total infections, 165,660 have been recovered but easily spre virus is continuing to disrupt many lives. Major cities have been put under lockdown in almost all countries including Spain, and ecomy is struggling. 

World Health Organisation (WHO) h declared coronavirus as a global pandemic on March 11 while virus has w spre to all continents except Antarctica, resulting in thousands of deaths worldwide. WHO chief Tedros ham furr even urged all nations to get very serious over issue and take all necessary measures to contain virus from spreing at this rate. Tedros said, that word 'Pandemic' cant be used lightly or carelessly due to its strong contation. 

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