A meeting of the office bearers including chiefs of Kathmandu-based Associate Branch of FNJ held in Sanchargram on Tuesday also urged the political parties to ensure guarantee of press freedom in the new statute.
The meeting concluded that although the draft constitution's Article 24 that deals with the right to mass communication tries to ensure guarantee of press freedom in the new statute the same article also provides several grounds to the state to curtail press freedom. Arguing that the provisions may be misused by illiberal governments, the meeting has demanded removal of such controversial provisions in the draft constitution.The office bearers' meeting of the FNJ Associate Branches has also asked media houses to pay all due salaries to journalists, give appointment letters to journalists and provide them other facilities including insurance in line with the Working Journalists Act.
While reiterating that the FNJ is committed to ensure press freedom, the meeting has also announced to be further active in safeguarding press freedom. The meeting has also urged all journalists to maintain journalists' code of ethics and maintain professional integrity.
Among other things, the meeting has thanked all FNJ branches for their active initiatives for raising funds for earthquake victim journalists. Office bearers of various 42 FNJ associate branches had participated in the meeting and presented details about the work.
FNJ President Mahendra Bista and FNJ Coordiantor of FNJ Associate Branches Suraj Acharya had highlighted on the objectives of the gathering.
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