Pokhara: Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal today reiterated his commitment to bring the assailants of Biratnagar-based journalist Khil Nath Dhakal to justice. Khanal also condemned the recent attacks on mediapersons and said providing security to journalists was a government priority. “The government will leave no stone unturned to bring the people behind the attack (on Dhakal) to book,” the prime minister told the audience in Pokhara.
At the fourth national convention and seventh general assembly of Broadcasting Association of Nepal, Communications Minister Agni Sapkota echoed Khanal’s remarks and said mediapersons’ security was important for the government. “We will provide life insurance for journalists who have worked in the sector for a decade,” added Sapkota.
BAN Chairman Bishnu Hari Dhakal informed that most of the 325 FM stations in operation in the country are reeling under financial insecurity. Former FNJ chairman Tara Nath Dahal urged the government to form a communications authority and ensure security for journalists.
Similar views were aired by Kabir Rana, chairman of the Network of Weekly and Fortnightly Newspapers and Shivalal Malla, former chair of BAN. Other participants –– Nepali Congress central member Dip Kumar Upadhyaya, Community Radio Broadcasters’ Chairman Min Bahadur Shahi, Press Union Vice-chairman Gangadhar Parajuli, Press Chautari central member Gagan Bista –– shed light on problems pertaining to the media sector.
The media sector is fraught with challenges and the government will do its bit to address the issues, Khanal said. “The government needs to work on regulating media houses, distributing government advertisements proportionately, solving the problem of frequency collision, forming a communications authority, implementing the Working Journalists’ Act and determining minimum remuneration for mediapersons,” said Khanal.
Stating that the five-point agreement between the parties in May 28 had put the nation on track to conclude the peace and constitution drafting processes, he said, “The new constitution will guarantee press freedom.” Khanal lauded FM stations for making the people aware about issues related to the constitution.
By Rup Narayan Dhakal
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