Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the government is committed to press freedom and the professional rights of journalists. PM Deuba said this at a program organised by FNJ Nepal Television Chapter to confer the Hem-Sunil Television Award on Journalism in Risk-2078' on Thursday.
The award has been conferred on NTV reporter from Kapilvastu, Basudev Sharma.
"Constitution of Nepal built upon the glorious struggle has finely guaranteed press freedom, and freedom of opinion," PM Deuba reminded, adding that the government was ready to assist in developing journalism with professionalism.
He further directed NTV management and staff to make it more effective as it is the state-owned media. Educational programs should be prioritised by all five channels of NTV.
PM Deuba however said, "It is regarded that NTV as a state-owned media only praises the government activities which must end. NTV should have the courage to criticise the government by examining the facts in a fair manner." He underscored the need for editorial independence, fairness, and professionalism in the state-run media because they are in favour of inclusive democracy.
According to him, even journalism was increasingly becoming a risky sector due to growing natural disasters and pandemic. So, journalists' role to inform people despite hostility is laudable, he added.
On the occasion, the PM assured that the government had planned to vaccinate all qualified Nepalis against COVID-19 by coming mid-March. He committed to not allow paucity of treatment to the coronavirus-infected people.
The award carries the purse of Rs 51,000.
Secretary at Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Dr Baikuntha Aryal, said that the Ministry supported to make journalism fair, dignified, responsible, credible and transparent.
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