Saptari, Sept. 6: Former Chairperson of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) has said journalists are taking the toll of growing insecurity across the country due to weak state apparatus. Dahal, who is also the chairperson of freedom1 Forum, claimed journalists are reeling under spate of attacks and violence when the state does not come up with strong measures to discourage anti-press incidents and culture of impunity. Citizens’ rights could not be secured and consolidated until and unless journalists are safe in the country, he added. Inaugurating three-day training on journalists’ safety organized by freedom1 Forum in Rajbiraj, Chairperson Dahal accused the state of being helpless in safeguarding physical and professional safety of journalists. On the occasion, former chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Dharmendra Jha also alleged the state’s apathy to ensure safe and congenial environment for journalists to propel their profession. Also speaking at the inaugural programme presided over by FNJ, Saptari chapter Chair Dhirendra Prasad Saha were Assistant Chief District Officer of Parsa Lekhnath Pokharel, senior journalist Shivahari Bhattarai, former member of Nepal Press Council Anil Kumar Alal, among others Altogether 16 working journalists from Saptari, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi and Janakpur district are taking part in the training that started on Monday. Source: National News Agency (RSS) Additional Link; Click here
Freedom Forum is a prominent non-governmental organization in Nepal dedicated to institutionalizing democracy, protecting and promoting human rights, press freedom, freedom of expression, right to information, promoting audit accountability, open and accountable budget, public finance reforms, citizen engagement in public finance management and citizen participation in audit. Established in February 2005, the organization emerged in response to the political turmoil following Former King Gyanendra’s coup dated February 1, 2005, which imposed severe restrictions on media and democratic rights. A group of media professionals, legal experts, and academics founded Freedom Forum to safeguard Nepal’s hard-earned democratic freedoms during this repressive period.
