With India under the largest lockdown in the world, Dainik Bhaskar wanted to take an active role in its readers’ lives. Here are six initiatives we created to help build awareness about COVID-19, dispel rumours, and keep our audience engaged. 

1. Promote social distancing

One of the major precautions to curb the spread of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak is to maintain social distancing. Dainik Bhaskar came up with innovative ways to make readers aware of the concept of social distancing and encourage them to follow it.  

The most prominent feature of any newspaper is its masthead, and Dainik Bhaskar came up with innovative mastheads to promote social distancing. It featured pictures from all over the country showing how people are following social distancing, as well as where they failed to follow it, so readers can understand what should be followed when it comes to social distancing.

In addition to promoting social distancing, regular masthead innovations are being done in DB’s different editions on the wake of this ongoing pandemic. 

2. “Newspaper is safe” campaign

Dainik Bhaskar ran an editorial campaign backed by scientific facts and logic, dismissing the rumours that print newspaper can spread the transmission of virus. Through this campaign, Bhaskar informed its readers that all the precautionary measures are taken as guided by the World Health Organization before the newspaper reaches the doorstep of the readers. 

The campaign also included interviews with the nation’s renowned doctors, who said newspapers are safe and don’t spread the virus. They also appealed to readers to ignore such rumours.

3. The coronavirus has no religion

The ongoing pandemic has also caused some of the religious war-mongers to further deteriorate the situation and mislead the public by associating the virus with some religious sects and communities. Looking at the sensitivity of the situation, Dainik Bhaskar used editorial notes, pictures, and masthead, to ask readers not to believe such misleading information and maintain peace. 

Dainik Bhaskar reminded readers that the virus has no religion, caste, or creed, and it won’t discriminate on its spread.

In Indore, Dainik Bhaskar urged people to cooperate and get tested if they feel they have symptoms. 

4. Creating a WhatsApp edition

Newspapers are considered the most reliable source of information. Though credible, they cannot provide the real-time delivery of news. And, in a time like this, people are continuously seeking regular updates. Keeping this in mind, Dainik Bhaskar came up with WhatsApp editions of the newspaper in many of the locations where major events have occurred, so readers can get all the important updates and information without any delay.

5. Spreading positivity

There is a lot of stress, worry, and fear among people due to the coronavirus outbreak. At a time when there is so much negativity everywhere, Dainik Bhaskar came up with a special series of positive news and photos to spread positivity and motivate its readers. 

We are publishing positive news on daily basis on front page as first news.

6. Actively engaging readers

When the entire nation is in lockdown, many people spend most of their time being a couch potato in front of the TV or they overstress themselves with bombardment of news coming from all directions. To actively engage readers and increase their knowledge, Dainik Bhaskar came up with a series of columns with interesting and knowledge-enhancing content. This also carried various puzzles and games for its young readers. 

We are continuing to find innovative new ways to serve and engage our readers during this difficult time, providing benefit for our community that goes beyond merely reporting the news.

Banner image by soulintact from Pixabay .

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