Odisha On Alert: Media Barred From Identifying Corona Patients, Kin & Docs

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed media outlets (print, electronic and web) not to disclose the identity of coronavirus patients, their parents and relatives and the doctors treating them.

Legal action will be taken against those violating the directive to ensure the security and safety of the affected persons, according to a circular issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department on Saturday.

The violators will face punishment under Section 188 of the IPC, which entails a jail term from one to six months.

Earlier, the state’s chief spokesperson for coronavirus, Subroto Bagchi, had also said the same thing during a media briefing. “No media shall publish the name and address of the person infected/affected with COVID-19 Virus, his /her parents, relatives, the doctor treating the patient and the assisting medical staff, obtained through any source, in any print/electronic/web/social media,” Bagchi said.

“No media shall interview any patient infected with COVID-19, his/her parents/relatives/treating doctors, assisting medical staff, in any form,” he added.