The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomes the open dialogue between the Ministry for Information and Communications and leading journalists’ organisations in Nepal after a constructive meeting between Information and Communications Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara and the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) on October 21.
During the meeting Dharmendra Jha, President of the FNJ, an IFJ affiliate, presented the Minister with a 15-point memorandum on media related issues under Nepal’s newly elected democratic government.
The memorandum emphasised the imperative for a guarantee for press freedom to be an unalterable element of the country’s newly developed constitution, the FNJ reports.
Among other issues raised at the meeting were the establishment of a commission to investigate the murder, abduction, torture and violence against journalists since the 2005 Royal Coup, the implementation of the Working Journalists Act, and the re-structuring of media law to ensure editorial independence from political interference across the country.
“Press freedom and independence of the media are crucial for Nepal’s success under its new government,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
“An open dialogue between the government and leading journalists’ organisations like the FNJ is the best way to ensure that any review of media freedom in Nepal incorporates the major issues facing journalists.”
This meeting follows the successful application by the National Union of Journalists (Nepal) (NUJN), also an IFJ affiliate, on September 12 for the public release of a committee report on minimum wages under the country’s Right to Information Act.
Minister Mahara directed his ministry to post the report on the Ministry’s website after Ram Prasad Dahal, Secretary of the NUJN, made an application for its public release on September 5.
The report, which was submitted to the Government on August 28, recommends implementation of the Working Journalists’ Act 2007, and that the minimum wage for media personnel be at least 4000 rupees (US$57) a month.
“News of positive interaction between the Ministry of Information and Communications and leading journalists’ organisations like the FNJ and NUJN is a welcome change from a culture of violence against the media in Nepal,” said IFJ Asia-Pacific.
“We congratulate both the FNJ and the NUJN for setting the agenda for the country’s journalists at this important transitional time in Nepal’s history.”
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide