FNJ
marks World Press Freedom Day 2017
Kathmandu, May 3: Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) this morning took out
a rally to mark the World Press Freedom Day 2017.
Under
the banner 'Sensitive Vision in Sensitive Time: Media's Role for Peaceful,
Inclusive and Just Society', the rally started from Naya Baneshwor and
converged into a corner meeting after reaching Maitighar Mandala.
Addressing
the meeting, FNJ President Dr Mahendra Bista spoke of 'still not being able to
sense complete press freedom'. He added that although the press freedom has
been enshrined in the constitution, attacks were continuing on press under
different pretexts.
"The
guilty has not been subjected to action, the 'incidents of press freedom' has
increased as investigations have not been launched into attacks on
journalists," Dr Bista said, adding "the press freedom incidents have
increased as if a trend. There is no complete press freedom."
He
said the journalists are forced to write news under control as there is no
press freedom in practise. Stating that the country's transformation is
possible through the medium of journalism, FNJ President Bista stressed on the
need for freedom of press in a democratic country.
On
the occasion, FNJ General Secretary, Ujir Magar, said there were 71 cases
related to press freedom this year alone. Magar took the occasion to underline
16 incidents of mistreatment of journalists, 11 incidents of arrests of
journalists and 11 cases of attacks on journalists.
The
rally was participated by FNJ's former President Dharmendra Jha, Press Union
Chair Badri Sigdel, Press Chautari Nepal's former Chair Rajendra Aryal, Press
Centre Nepal's former General Secretary, Om Sharma including journalists
affiliated with various media houses. RSS