Strong media could only safeguard journalists: KC

Gorkhabazaar, 18  September 2015: “The working journalists could achieve financial freedom and physical safety only when the media houses are financially strong,” argued Poshan KC, Chairperson of the Minimum Wage Fixation Committee in a programme held in Gorkhabazar today.Speaking at a programme organized to mark the18th anniversary of ‘Daraundi Dainik’, a local paper in Gorkhabazar, Chairperson KC further claimed that the State was not giving its attention to the management of the media houses as many journalists were still insecure physically and financially. “For the effective management of the media, the State should offer services and subsidies, and issue license to the radio, newspapers as per the need for the management of the media houses like it does to the Industry,” said KC.

Stating that the Committee had recently submitted a report prepared after studying if the journalists were paid minimum wage by their employers, he stated that no journalist should work without wages and getting an appointment letter.Welcoming the newly endorsed revised constitution bill, 2072, KC assured that the Committee was committed to promote the rights and welfare of the press and the media persons.Also, speaking at the programmme, former President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Dharmendra Jha said that media would not be promoted without the positive cooperation from the local administration, entrepreneurs and businessmen. Opining that the media serves as a parameter of the civilization of the society, Jha said that media in Nepal was undertaking the responsibility of dissemination of information and shaping public opinion.

Similarly, Uddhav Prasad Timilsena, Chief District Officer, Gorkha expressed the belief that the media in Nepal could contribute significantly in the re-construction operation in the aftermath of April 25 earthquake.The programme was held in the chairmanship of the Daraundi Publication Group chairperson, Bhaichandra Shrestha.

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