KATHMANDU, Jan 28: Chairman of Press Council Nepal (PCN) Bal Krishna Basnet has said that the media should be able to raise the voice of victims as the failure to do so causes more pain to them.
Chairman Basnet said that it is a serious violation of the code of conduct of journalists to give news and news-related content to cause more pain to the victims. While stating that the PCN has been monitoring and evaluating such content, Basnet said that objectionable contents are seen mainly on online news portals and social networking sites.
"Journalism is supposed to bring justice to society. It should help to reduce violence. However, they have in some ways incited violence and increased discord in family and society. The voice of the victim has started to be weakened” he said. “Let’s convey news by paying attention to these things through the newly-launched media. Let’s strictly follow the code of conduct.”
MASTER OF VOICES
Addressing the 18th series of orientation held at the PCN on Friday, Chairman Basnet said that the journalism sector should expose the problems of the society. He added that journalism should not question the justice given by the society.
President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Bipul Pokharel said that it is the responsibility of the media sector to fulfill the expectations of the society. He pointed out that it is a serious mistake to use journalism unknowingly or to prove someone's selfishness.
Pokharel also said that reliable journalism is needed in the campaign of social transformation, and it is mandatory to follow the applicable journalist code of ethics and guidelines for quality and reliable journalism. He suggested that the PCN should continue such creative work to make people responsible and dignified.
PCN has been giving orientation classes to the owners and editors of new listings. In Friday's class, Ramprasad Dahal, the Board Member of the PCN, gave training on the Journalists’ Code of Conduct and Sangita Khadka, the Chairperson of the Minimum Wage Determination Committee, on various communication guidelines and the provisions.
Deputy Administrative Officer and Information Officer of the Council, Ram Sharan Bohra, facilitated the program and the questions raised by the participants were clarified by experts and Senior Administrative Officer and Spokesperson of the Council, Deepak Khanal. A total of 27 online owners and editors participated in orientation organized on Friday.
