At a program organised by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in the capital, media persons said press freedom in Nepal is in crisis at present.[break]
They urged three major political parties to find a way out of the protracted political deadlock through consensus and collaboration among them.
FNJ chairman Dharmendra Jha said the federation will take an initiative to bridge the growing gap among the parties.
Former FNJ president Hom Nath Dahal stressed on the need to take initiative by the federation to bring the parties to consensus.
Chairman of Press Council Nepal Narayan Sharma asked the three major parties why they signed the 12-point agreement and Comprehensive Peace Accord if they were not to forge consensus to take the peace process to a logical end. He also urged them to keep the nation, people and constitution drafting process on top of their priorities.
Chief Commissioner of National Information Commission Binay Kasaju said Nepali press has been hit by the political instability while people´s right to information is also yet to be ensured.
Secretary General of the Nepal University Teachers´ Association Rameshwor Upadhyay urged the parties to prioritise peace process and constitution making to guarantee press freedom.
Director General of the Department of Information Shreedhar Gautam said the government has allocated Rs 1 million for the construction of a press freedom memorial.
On the occasion, former FNJ president Suresh Acharya, former vice president Kaushal Chemjong and Bharat Bhurtel (posthumously) were felicitated with the ´press freedom fighter´ award for their contribution to the protection of press freedom. Likewise, Banke chapter of the federation was awarded as the best branch of the federation.
Meanwhile, a press freedom memorial is set to be constructed in memory of all known and unknown people who got martyrdom while fighting for press freedom.
The memorial will be constructed on the premises of Tilganga-based Sanchargram (media village) on the effort of the FNJ, Press Council Nepal and Department of Information.
Journalists Hom Nath Dahal, Narayan Sharma, Suresh Acharya, Harihar Birahi, Bishnu Nisthuri and Dharmendra Jha laid the foundation stone for the memorial today. RSS
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