Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde on Thursday said he has appealed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to categorise journalists and other media representatives as frontline workers and vaccinate them against coronavirus on priority.

The social justice minister contended that media persons have been risking their lives while reporting about the present situation and spreading awareness among people.

Have requested @CMOMaharashtra to categorise all media representatives as frontline workers and vaccinate them on priority,'' Munde tweeted on Thursday.

In the letter, Munde said doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, sanitation workers, police and others involved in essential services have strengthened the fight against coronavirus.

It is pertinent to note that Amid the surge in coronavirus disease cases in the country, several states have declared journalists as frontline workers for priority vaccination.

In April, the Federation of All India Medical Association wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to declare media professionals as frontline workers which gained support from many including Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"Journalists cannot work from home, and have put their lives and health at risk on a daily basis to cover both the Covid-19 pandemic and other matters of public concern, including matters critical to health and safety of the public, and critical to our democracy," read the association’s letter.

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