Addressing a function organized by UNESCO Kathmandu office and Center for Media Freedom to mark the World Press Freedom Day in Kathmandu on Monday, Sharma said that NHRC has been pressing authorities to punish culprits of attack against the journalists.
"Nepali citizens have the Right to Information Act with constitutional guarantee," he said, praising the effort of journalists. Sharma also thanked journalists for their role in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in the country.Though, the World Press Freedom Day is marked on May 3, Nepal observed the day late this year due to the earthquakes. President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Mahendra Bista expressed discontent to the first draft of the new constitution, for infringing upon freedom of the press.
"The proposed draft constitution has many provisions that aim to curb press freedom and this is unacceptable," said Bista.
Commissioner of the National Information Commission, Kiran Pokhrel, suggested to journalists to exercise their right to information as per the law while covering investigative reports.
Chairman of the Press Council Nepal, Borna Bahadur Karki urged the stakeholders to be serious toward the increasing trend of misuse of press freedom. Coordinator of the function Laxman Datta Panta said physical security of the journalists still remains a challenge in Nepal.
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