KATHMANDU, May 4: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) will hold an election on June 8 to elect a new executive committee.
The 27th central convention of the FNJ held in Kathmandu on Friday decided to hold the election on June 8 and instructed the committees of the FNJ to prepare for it.
The convention issued a manifesto for the full implementation of the constitution, demanding full freedom of the press, implementation of the Working Journalists Act, institutional development and prosperity of journalism.
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The convention drew serious attention to the recent order of the Supreme Court regarding published news content. Considering that it is against the constitution to order the removal of published news content, to ban its re-publishing/broadcasting and to prosecute the subject of news as a criminal offense, the convention strongly demanded the executive, legislature and judiciary to ensure full freedom of the press as guaranteed by the constitution.
The convention also demanded the government at all three levels to make various media-related bills that are in the process of being drafted media-friendly so as to ensure full freedom of press and expression. It demands that no policies and activities be carried out that would stifle the freedom of press and expression.
The convention also demanded the government to double the amount of public welfare advertisements provided by the government and increase the minimum wage of working journalists and implement it fully.
Expressing its regret on Press Council Nepal's directive to the media to remove the news content, the convention warned the council to comply with the constitution and the existing laws.
The convention also requested the government to convert the free accident insurance of working journalists into health insurance and implement it effectively.
Embracing the multiplicity and diversity of the country, the FNJ convention urged all communication institutions to make the content and structure of communication institutions gender, inclusive and disability-friendly and to make the workplace safe.
The convention also appealed to all journalists to adhere to the journalist code of conduct, to give special emphasis to responsible and decent journalism and to engage in the work of awakening the society through positive journalism.
In order to reduce the impact of climate change, the convention requested all the media networks and professionals to use the pen by imbibing the basic meaning of 'Journalism for the Planet'.
