Kathmandu, May 4: Reporters’ Club Nepal organised a symposium on “Freedom of Press and the right to information in Nepal” to mark the International Press Freedom Day here today.
At the symposium chairman of Press Council Nepal and senior journalist Harihar Birahi said that the interest of the people on mass media had increased following the restoration of democracy.
Chief Editor of Gorakhapatra Corporation Ramesh Tiwari said that the International Press Freedom Day should be able to introduce press freedom in places where it has not been introduced.
Acting general manager of Nepal Television Durga Nath Sharma said that the role of press is vital in eliminating social distortions.
Senior journalist Malla K. Sunder said that all the journalists should unite to strengthen national unity and democracy.
Chairman of Kantipur Publications Hemraj Gyawali said that the communications policy had not been implemented fully.
Chairman of Nepal Press Institute Gokul Pokharel said that the journalists should always present factual reports.
Senior journalist Somnath Ghimire said that law concerning rights to information had not been formulated.
Chairman of Shangrila Channel Nir Shaha said that the private sector mass media had been successful in making the government aware of the people’s grievances.
President of the Reporters’ club Nepal Rishi Dhamala presided.
Meanwhile, His Majesty’s Government has appointed senior journalist Ganesh Ballabh Pradhan chairman of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti for a maximum period of two years and editor of Rastriya Samachar Samiti Indra Bahadur Shrestha general manager until further arrangements, according to the Ministry of Informations and Communications.
The newly appointed chairman Ballabh holds a Shastri degree in Sanskrit literature from Benaras Hindu University, India and masters degree from Tribhuvan University.
The chairman has been involved in the field of journalism for a very long period. He had served as special correspondent of rss from 2018 to 2019 B.S. and editor of Matrinbhoomi Weekly, Janmabhoomi daily and Janambhoomi weekly.
Mr. Ballabh also worked as executive member of the Sanskrit Students Association, member of the Nepal students association central secretariat, joint secretary nc Kathmandu district committee, central member of the Nepal Journalists Association, member of the Royal Nepalese Film Corporation Investigation Committee, treasurer of the social service national coordination committee and member of the communication policy task force formed by His Majesty’s Government.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed General Manager Shrestha began his journalist carreer as assistant editor of rss in Kartik 1, 2030 B.S.
Mr. Shrestha, who hold a masters degree in political science, served as editor of the rss English desk.
Earlier Mr. Shrestha had served as rss acting general from Magh 18, 2052 to Asar, 2055 B.S. Meanwhile His Majesty’s Government has relieved rss chairman Purander Ghimire and rss General Manager Devprakash Tripathy from their respective posts.