KATHMANDU, May 3: Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) this morning took out a rally to mark the World Press Freedom Day 2017. 

Under the banner 'Sensitive Vision in Sensitive Time: Media's Role for Peaceful, Inclusive and Just Society', the rally started from Naya Baneshwor and converged into a corner meeting after reaching Maitighar Mandala.

Addressing the meeting, FNJ President Dr Mahendra Bista spoke of 'still not being able to sense complete press freedom'. He added that although the press freedom has been enshrined in the constitution, attacks were continuing on press under different pretexts. 

"The guilty has not been subjected to action, the 'incidents of press freedom' has increased as investigations have not been launched into attacks on journalists," Dr Bista said, adding "the press freedom incidents have increased as if a trend. There is no complete press freedom." 

He said the journalists are forced to write news under control as there is no press freedom in practise. Stating that the country's transformation is possible through the medium of journalism, FNJ President Bista stressed on the need for freedom of press in a democratic country. 

On the occasion, FNJ General Secretary, Ujir Magar, said there were 71 cases related to press freedom this year alone. Magar took the occasion to underline 16 incidents of mistreatment of journalists, 11 incidents of arrests of journalists and 11 cases of attacks on journalists. 

The rally was participated by FNJ's former President Dharmendra Jha, Press Union Chair Badri Sigdel, Press Chautari Nepal's former Chair Rajendra Aryal, Press Centre Nepal's former General Secretary, Om Sharma including journalists affiliated with various media houses. RSS 

 
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