KATHMANDU: Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Gobinda Acharya on Thursday stressed the need for all to resolve problems facing media. The government, the FNJ and media houses should join hands in this regard, he said at an interaction with the theme of ‘corona impact on media’.
He mentioned problems facing working journalists like media outlets forcing them to stay on unpaid leave amid corona crisis and their deprivation of free health security equipment.
Stating that there would not be any compromise on the welfare of working journalists, he underscored the need for effective implementation of laws relating to Nepali journalism.
Preparations were underway to bring programmes like proportional advertisement system, depositing 10 percent funds from advertisements in the Journalist Welfare Fund and enhancement of writing capacity of journalists, he said. The local levels should help by providing welfare advertisements to media.
Of the total 410 working journalists infected with COVID-19 across the country, four have died and 80 are receiving treatment, he informed. A total of 13,000 journalists are members of the FNJ. Likewise, chairperson of the FNJ, Chitwan Radhe Shyam Khatiwada informed that 10 journalists in Chitwan district contracted the infection.
Central member of the Press Organisation Nepal Shaligram Nepal and President of Nepal Press Union, Chitwan Anil Dhakal said there had been difficulties in running media houses due to various reasons. On the occasion, the FNJ and
Press Council would carry out a study on the situation of the media in various districts and submit the report to the government, it has been informed.
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