Kathamandu- Newly elected Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Bipul Pokhrel, has vowed that new executive committee of FNJ would devote freedom of expression and respect to the rights of media workers and journalists.
Speaking at a reception organised by FNJ Radio Nepal chapter on the eve of New Year 2078BS here Tuesday, Pokhrel thanked all voters who elected him and his panel to the FNJ central leadership. “We have set the goal of free expression with safety of working journalists, and our activities would focus on creating favourable atmosphere to achieve the goal,’’ he reiterated. Describing FNJ as an inclusive and umbrella organisation of journalists/ media professionals, he announced that the new leadership had already owned the agenda of its competitors.
He urged the entire media fraternity to stand together with FNJ agenda. As he said, capacity enhancement of journalists and development of professionalism were key challenges and the FNJ would take a proactive role to develop a mechanism to address these issues.
Chairperson Pokhrel expressed reservation over the proposed model of the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), casting doubt it has incorporated related international principles and practices of PSB. PSB must not overlook the issues of working journalists. Broader discussions with all stakeholders could help reach conclusion, according to him.
“As the world is battling with the second wave of coronavirus and it has entered Nepal as well, journalists’ health should be prioritized. For it to happen, media houses should be aware of providing safe working atmosphere for journalists and flexibility on duty hours including work-from-home provision,” the Chairperson underscored.
On the occasion, Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Hari Prasad Basyal, however, said the proposed PSB was for enhancing capacity of employees and a means of advancing towards prosperity. It was for promoting job security of related people, making them competitive and efficient. He urged working journalists and media professionals to be more creative and contribute to graduating the nation from the least developed country to the status of developing country.
He congratulated all the new executives of FNJ from central to local levels and wished for their successful tenure.
Similarly, FNJ RSS chapter Chair Pabitra Guragain informed the gathering that the RSS chapter had got the woman leadership for the first time since its establishment. She sought media attention to make media contents gender-sensitive and inclusive, which she argued would help build a better and just society as envisaged by the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Radio Nepal Executive Director Buddhi Bahadur KC promised to strengthen the organisation and focus on capacity building of staff.
On the occasion, FNJ newly elected central committee office bearers were honoured and the FNJ, Radio Nepal new
executive committee formed under the Chairmanship of Bipramani Acharya was given certificates and handed over the leadership.
The programme was held under the Chairmanship of FNJ Radio Nepal chapter’s outgoing Chair Durga Phunyal.
Published Date : 13 Apr 2021
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