POKHARA: Gandaki Province chief minister Surendra Raj Pandey has said the province government will come up with the Communications Bill soon.
Addressing the 10th district convention of Nepal Press Union (NPU) Kaski here today, the Chief Minister said, “The Bill will be brought and it will be endorsed following consultations with the province-based media community.”
“Decent journalism is necessary,” he said, adding that lately the cases of character assassination of individuals in the name of journalism have been reported. He urged media professionals to pen in favor of federalism and democracy. “Anti-federalism activities are taking place.” He urged journalists not to support such activities through their writings.
The Chief Minister advised journalists not to compromise with the norms and values of journalism under any circumstances and make sure that media stuff are credible, fact-based, and impartial.
Underlining the need for ‘purification’ in journalism, the Chief Minister drew the Federation of Nepali Journalists’ (FNJ)’s attention towards that end.
“Regulation is required for any possible wrong practices in journalism,” he said, adding that it was the duty of journalists to make people aware of government affairs whether they are wrong or right.
NC Gandaki Chair Shukraraj Sharma, FNJ central member Sarita Timilsina, NPU central president Shiba Lamsal, journalists Bimala Bhandari and Gangadhar Parajuli aired their views concentrating on press freedom and the issues of working journalists.
On the occasion, NPU Kaski honored journalists Rabindra Bastoka, Ramesh Poudel, Nabin Sigdel, and Bhandari with various prizes. Chapter officiating president Rabina Ale presided over the program.
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