6th National Journalism Day: 16 journalists to be feted

The government is going to honour 16 journalists on the occasion of the 6th national Journalism Day.

At a programme organized at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology here today, Ministry’s Secretary Hari Prasad Basyal announced the names of the journalists who will be awarded in recognition of their excellent performance and contribution to society through journalism.

Secretary Basyal said that ‘Senior Journalist Honour-2076 BS’ would be given to Agnisikha (Kathmandu) posthumously and Harsha Subba (Sunsari).

Likewise, the Ministry will honour Raghu Mainali (Kathmandu) and Shardul Bhattarai (Kathmandu) with the same award for the year 2077 BS. Each award recipient will receive Rs 200,000 in cash.

Similarly, Ujir Magar (Baglung), Matrika Poudel (Ramechhap) Sangita Khadka (Kathmandu), Seshraj Dahal (Sindhuli), Hemkantha Bahadur BC (Banke) and Shital Shah (Dhanusha) will be feted with the National Journalism Award-2076 BS.

Dilip Thapa Magar (Bhaktapur), Dipesh Neupane (Morang), Durga Prasad Sharma (Parbat), Surojung Pandey (Dolakha), Nitu Pandit (Nuwakot) and Poonam Poudel (Lalitpur) will be awarded with the National Journalism Award for 2077 BS. The award carries a purse of Rs 100,000 and each recipient will receive the same amount.

The award will be given in an appropriate time as the country is currently grappled with the second wave of COVID-19.

On the occasion, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Parbat Gurung said that the government was responding to COVID-19 with sensitivity and responsibility.

Gurung, also the spokesperson of the government, said, “Preparations are afoot to procure medicine, oxygen, cylinder among other medical appliances from India and China. The government is also increasing ICU beds to treat the infected ones.”

He urged the social media operators and users to disseminate positive news and news which kindle hope to people rather than stoking fear with misleading information.

The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to allocate budget for the establishment of Mass Media Training Academy, ensure press pass distribution is a hassle-free manner and Journalist Welfare Fund among others agendas that secure the welfare of the journalists in the country.

Secretary Basyal expressed his hopefulness that the media would prioritize disseminating positive news at the time of health crisis like this.

The Ministry has also urged the media to carry the messages that educate the audience on preventive measures against COVID-19.

The government has been observing Baisakh 24 of the Nepali month as the National Journalism Day coinciding with the first publication of Gorkhapatra. Gorkhapatra was first published on this day in 1958 BS as a weekly paper. This year, Gorkhapatra marks its 121st anniversary.

On the occasion, Minister Gurung has extended best wishes to all the media persons.