World Press Freedom Day being celebtrated

Kathmandu, May 3 – The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), the umbrella organization of journalists all over the country, has organised a morning procession today on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day.

 

The rally that started from Bhrikutimandap passed through Padmodaya Mod, Putali Sadak, Bagbazaar and Ratna Park and transformed into a corner meeting upon reaching Shanti Batika.

 

The theme of the World Press Freedom Day this year is – Democratic Constitution through Constituent Assembly Election: Protection of Press Freedom for Welfare of Working Journalists is Our Campaign.

 

The country is marking the World Press Freedom Day with 227 incidents of attacks on journalists reported throughout the country over the past year.

 

Despite facing threats and intimidation from various parties, journalists continue to write undaunted by such incidents. Many journalists continue advocating for democracy and press freedom even not getting their pay for nine months.

 

Nepali journalists have been playing a leading role in different movements in support of democracy and civic rights since the past.

 

Addressing the corner meeting, former president of FNJ, Homnath Dahal, said that journalists have made unparalleled contribution in support of press freedom, human rights and democracy.

 

Chairperson of the Sancharika Samuha Nirmala Sharma, FNJ vice president Yasoda Timilsina and general secretary Om Sharma, Kumar Shah of the Revolutionary Journalists´ Association, Madhav Nepal of the Press Chautari Nepal, Shiva Lamsal of the Press Union and Khil Bahadur Bhandari of the Revolutionary Journalists Association, among others, lamented that the State has not paid adequate attention for the protection of journalists and for their professional advancement even long after the establishment of democracy. RSS