KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said the government would not formulate any act or rule that infringes upon citizen’s freedoms. He reiterated that the ruling coalition would work for the protection of freedoms.

The Minister said it during the first national conference of the Associate Province of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) held at Dhulikhel on Friday. The present government is ready to correct past mistakes in the laws and rules, he said, adding that journalism is a free and independent sector.

He hoped the media would monitor all sides in society including the movements and struggles waged for change. He further reminded that journalism could play a significant role to link people with the government. Finance Minister Sharma was of the view that he would work in line with the suggestion given by the FNJ.

Moreover, the Finance Minister reminded journalism plays a watchdog role to monitor activities of political parties.

On the occasion, Senior Vice President of FNJ Ramesh Bista viewed the FNJ was committed to moving ahead with the protection and promotion of print, television, radio and online media. FNJ’s policy and programs would be advanced in line with the spirit of professional journalism.

Similarly, central Vice Chairman of Press Union Ishwori Subedi urged the government to pay heed to the problems faced by the COVID. The Associate Province Committee of the FNJ honoured six journalists who continued reporting despite COVID-19 hostility. They were cine journalist Rina Moktan, sport journalist Jit Bahadur Saud, cartoonist Binodchand Malla Thakuri, social reporter Govinda Marasini, photojournalist Chandra Bahadur Ale and economic journalist Menuka Karki.

Even the senior journalists above 70 years were honoured on the occasion. The elderly journalists to receive honour were Mohan Shyam Maharjan, Gehendraman Amatya and Shyam Chitrakar.