LALITPUR, Jan 17: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel has said that media persons should also have representation in the future government.
Speaking at the second national conference of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Province Associate, held at Mahalaxmisthan in Lalitpur on Saturday, Minister Kharel stated that, since journalists are skilled in multiple fields, they should also be represented in the upcoming government.
Minister Kharel added that running the state would not be difficult for journalists, as they understand the country, society, and politics. "I am also someone who has worked in journalism for 25 years. I became a minister suddenly through the Gen Z movement. The notion that only those who make politics a profession should engage in it is outdated,” he said. “I became a minister because the Gen Z movement respected journalism, and among more than 14,000 journalists in the country, many have the capacity to lead the nation."
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Minister Kharel further stated that the current government, formed on the strength of the Gen Z movement, has carried out only people-oriented work in its first four months, and emphasised that support from every section of society is needed to ensure the success of the March 5 elections. "We are all participating in the elections, and we expect an even stronger role from the journalism sector to make them successful," he added.
Reiterating that the essence of the Gen Z movement is change, Minister Kharel stressed that every segment of society should play an active role to ensure the success of the general elections.
FNJ Chairperson Nirmala Sharma said the Federation is committed to protecting the rights and interests of working journalists, as well as freedom of expression and democracy.
Meanwhile, Baikuntharaj Parajuli, president of the Film Journalists Association, urged all journalists to unite in defending the rights and interests of working journalists employed in mainstream media.
