In the five months of national emergency, which began on March 16, a total of 139 journalists have died. Of these, 82 died as a result of the coronavirus (35 infected during journalistic activity). Compared to this figure, 57 journalists died, in the framework of the pandemic, due to other ailments, complications of other diseases or COVID symptoms (without confirming the contagion).
In the course of this period, the province with the most cases has been Lima, with a total of 18 deaths; followed by Iquitos with 6; then there are Arequipa, Chincha, Cusco, Santa and Tumbes with 4 each; and Piura with 3.
The number of journalists who died as a result of COVID-19 has evolved over the months. In mid-May there were 15, at the end of June 51 (15 infected during journalistic activity) and now, in the first fortnight of August, there are 82 colleagues who lost their lives due to the virus.
This information has been recorded by the National Association of Journalists of Peru (Asociación Nacional de Periodistas del Perú – ANP), which, since the beginning of the national emergency (March 16), has maintained a permanent action to monitor the situation of journalists throughout the country.
In this sense, the ANP has repeatedly expressed the need to protect the men and women of the press who have been carrying out their work on the frontline nonstop since the pandemic began.
We also reiterate the call to the different levels of government to protect independent journalists, especially in regions, where the pandemic has hit with greater intensity, given the precarious conditions in which they carried out their work.
Similarly, we remind media companies that, according to DS 008-2020-SA (Supreme Decree by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Peru): „all public and private workplaces must adopt prevention and health control measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19.“
Which is aligned with Article 60 of Law 29783 (Occupational Health and Safety Law) that mandates employers to provide “their workers with adequate personal protective equipment, according to the type of work and specific risks present in the performance of their duties ”.
Executive secretary of communications ANP
