Representatives of various journalist organisations of SAARC countries presented reports on progress, problems and challenges to press freedom in the region.[break]
On the occasion, participants expressed worries about the attacks on media houses by army and rebels, control on press by governments in the name of special laws and factionalism among journalists in the name of political parties and trading groups and stressed on development of professionalism in journalism.
IFJ´s Asia-Pacific Regional Director Jakulin Park said a common concept on press freedom will be formulated at the end of the meeting.
FNJ President and IFJ´s member Dharmendra Jha said Nepali press has seen significant progress in the last 10 years.
Stating that the FNJ played a vital role during Jana Andolan II, he said Nepali journalists will continue to warn parties and work to guarantee press freedom in the new constitution.
"Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, nearly 600 anti-press activities occurred and most of them were committed by political parties and their sister organisations," Jha said.
Chairman of Press Council Nepal Narayan Prasad Sharma said Nepali press has always protested feudal system of governance. "The present government interfered in Council´s matters and attacked press freedom," he said.
Former FNJ President Bishnu Nisthuri said the movement of journalists during the Jana Andolan had international support and concern.
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