Freedom Forum (FF) is delighted to share that one of the fellowship stories on public interest reporting has been awarded ‘Best Feature Award for Province 3’ on 19 February. The story was written by Mr. Aditya Dahal, one of the fellows to which FF had provided fellowship for the investigative reports on reconstruction issues.

Mr. Dahal, associated with the National News Agency (RSS), was awarded by the RSS on its 58th anniversary. He is one among 13 investigative reporters FF provided fellowship.

The public interest reporting fellowship was provided to explore major issues concerning public interest in post-earthquake reconstruction works. It aimed to seek the attention of policymakers, stakeholders and the general public.

Mr. Dahal’s news titled, “Sankhu Dwellers Facing Constraints to Build Houses in Traditional Style“. The news covered the issues of post-earthquake where the households suffered due to lack of construction materials, human resources and the grant from the government. After the coverage of the news story in media, the reconstruction works of Sankhu, an old settlement, gained apace. The fellowship relating to the reconstruction activities supported Mr. Dahal to dig out the issues of reconstruction at Sankhu, which lies in Shankharapur Municipality, the northern-east outskirt of the Kathmandu Valley.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Mr. Gokul Prasad Baskota, conferred the award on Dahal with a certificate and Rs 5,000 cash.

The ‘Public Interest Reporting’ training was provided to 33 working journalists from 14 earthquake-affected districts. It was organized under the project- Civil Society Mutual Accountability Project (CS: MAP)- supported by USAID and implemented by FHI 360.

To this, FF’s Executive Chief Mr. Taranath Dahal observes, “The capacity enhancement of journalists with public interest reporting training has helped them cover the hidden issues of reconstruction works.”

After receiving the award, fellow Dahal thanked Freedom Forum and committed to  write continuously on such issues of public interest and concern.

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