Kaski, July 1 : Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ)’s Gandaki State chapter and Kaski district chapter have expressed serious concern over the situation wherein working journalists and media workers are being deprived of remuneration and other facilities since long.

Issuing separate press releases on Tuesday, the two chapters have urged the media houses to routinely provide with remuneration, not to shut the operation of media in any pretexts, stop expelling journalists from their regular work and also not to force journalists to stay on non-salaried leave.

In the statement issued by State committee general secretary Ganesh Poudel, media houses were urged to stop relieving journalists from their work in the pretext of COVID-19, denying journalists of their salary and facilities and unilaterally slashing the existing salary scale as well as to fully comply with the Working Journalists Act.

Likewise, Kaski chapter chair Deependra Shrestha issued the press release and warned to launch any pressure-creating struggle for the professional safety and respect for working journalists.

The district chapter also urged the working journalists and media workers to institutionally report their problems to FNJ through email or other communication medium.

In addition, FNJ has clarified that it would consistently hold dialogue and discuss with the stakeholders as per the need but would not compromise with anybody on the issue of working journalists.RSS

KATHMANDU, June 29 : A meeting of the office-bearers and members of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) available in Kathmandu Monday has decided to stage a massive protest at Babarmahal on July 3 calling for the job security and the rights of working journalists.
The FNJ stated that this demonstration is being organised based on the warning with deadline that it had submitted at the media houses before this.

The meeting was chaired by FNJ president Govinda Acharya. It made a serious assessment on the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic on the media industry and the professional security of the working journalists. The meeting came to the conclusion that complicated problems have been seen like expulsion of working journalists, keeping them on unpaid leave, deducting their salary, denying working environment and not giving any job responsibility during the lockdown period.
The umbrella organisation of journalists across the country, FNJ, had already taken decision before this to wage a strong movement for the protection of the rights and interests of the working journalists.

The schedule for protest programmes as organising impromptu sit-in protest, picketing and installing black banner at media houses where such problems have been seen, beginning from July 4, has been set, states a press statement issued by FNJ general-secretary Ramesh Bista.
The FNJ has decided to urge the government, the parliament, professional organisations, the United Nations Organisation, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the international community for solidarity in calling for the job protection of working journalists.RSS

KATHMANDU: The World Press Freedom Day is being marked today by organising different programmes across the country.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day is being marked under the slogan of ”Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media’.

On the very occasion, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) organized a morning assembly in the Capital.

A large number of scribes and media activists participated in the morning rally. FNJ Vice-chair Yashoda Timsina, General Secretary Om Sharma, former chairs of the FNJ and others addressed the program.

On the occasion, General Secretary Sharma said that implementation of the working journalists act was still a big deal in Nepal.

A total of 228 anti-press incidents occurred in Nepal during this year (May 3, 2012 to May 2, 2013), stated a press release issued by FNJ Vice-chairperson Yashoda Timsina.

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.

POKHARA: Acting Chief Justice Damodar Prasad Sharma has said that independent journalism is the foundation of democracy.

Inaugurating the Central General Assembly of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) here on Friday, Sharma said although known as the Fourth Estate, journalism should be kept in the first place in view of its significance and impact.

The Acting Chief Justice stated that the Chief Justice has not interfered in the Supreme Court as he has totally dissociated himself from the judiciary’s functions after becoming the Chairman of the Council of Ministers.

One thousand journalists are attending the general assembly that will last for two days.