KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, has said the incumbent government is committed to press freedom and freedom of expression (FoE).
Speaking at a program on ‘Impact of COVID-19 on journalists and media’ organized on the occasion of 67th anniversary of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Minister Karki shared that democracy and press freedom are integral to each other.
Urging the media sector to play more active role to institutionalize democracy and make it strong, he lauded the role played by overall journalism sector to establish democratic federal republic, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also the spokesperson of the government, Minister Karki opined that the incumbent government is committed to press freedom and safety of journalists at a time when the constitution of Nepal has ensured press freedom and right to information as fundamental rights. He mentioned that the government had established Journalist Welfare Fund of Rs 53.2 million with the objective of helping senior journalists for their livelihood, adding that arrangement of national journalism award of Rs 100,000 had also been made to six journalists and media.
An arrangement has been made where two journalists would be honored with Rs 200,000 and a letter of felicitation every year as well as one percent customs duty on papers imported by media house to print news, he shared.
Minister Karki further said that the government was making preparation to carry out all activities related to journalists and mass media through the medium of information technology from upcoming fiscal year and discussion was underway to give final shape to media-related bill.
He also sought suggestions on different issues, including finalizing the draft of the national mass communication act, issues raised by stakeholders over the recent amendments to national broadcasting regulations, free treatment for journalists, implementation of journalists’ welfare fund, and the establishment of mass communication academy.
On the occasion, FNJ President Bipul Pokharel said the issues of press freedom and working journalists were raised simultaneously, demanding to make media-friendly laws by holding enough discussions with stakeholders.
FNJ had organized morning rally, futsal competition, interactions on different issues related to media, blood donation and health camp on the occasion of its establishment day.
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