On the occasion, Minister Poudel awarded senior journalists Dhrubahari Adhikari, Bijaya Kumar Pandey and Gopal Basnet with the National Journalism Honour instituted by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Radio Nepal chapter this year. [break]
Adhikari was honored for his contribution to the print media, Pandey to television and Basnet to radio. The award carries a purse of Rs. 25,000 and a Letter of Appreciation. The amount of the award is got from a revolving fund of one million rupees contributed by social worker Khanuprude Rambabu.
Pandey provided the amount of the award he received for the medical treatment of Basudev Munal, an employee of Radio Nepal.
Addressing the program, Minister Poudel said that since the country was headed for the Constituent Assembly elections, the journalists too should fulfill their responsibility of fostering the election environment.
He said, "The government would not adopt the policy of interfering in any public institutions including Radio Nepal."
The Minister for Information and Communications gave the assurances that the government would take the necessary initiatives for addressing the financial problems faced by Radio Nepal.
Noting that Radio Nepal is an asset of the people and a respected national institution, Minister Poudel reminded that the institution would become insignificant if it did not enhance the quality of its service and products competing with the private sector.
Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dhruba Prasad Sharma, called on Radio Nepal to become financially self-sustainable and forge ahead towards transforming itself into an independent broadcasting institution in the midst of growing competition among the media.
He also urged Radio Nepal to continue working to retain the people´s trust towards it for objective, impartial and authentic news and information.
On the occasion, Minister for Information and Communications Poudel also released the new issue of ´Jhankar´, Radio Nepal´s mouthpiece, and the radio broadcasting guidelines.
Seventeen employees at Radio Nepal completing 25 years of service were presented with the Long Service medals. Similarly, artists coming out first, second and third in various competitions held on the occasion of the anniversary celebrations were awarded on the occasion.
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