BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road journalist organizations cooperation platform called on journalist organizations of various countries to effectively protect the physical and mental health, as well as legitimate rights and interests, of journalists amid the novel coronavirus epidemic.

The initiative, which was proposed by the platform's presidium on Tuesday, also urged good working conditions to be provided for journalists, according to the All-China Journalists Association.

The platform also called on all member organizations and partners to guide the media and journalists to spread rational and scientific information and firmly oppose the spread of false information.

All member organizations and partners were invited to introduce their positive measures and latest progress in fighting the epidemic through the platform, the initiative said.