FNJ demands more budget‚ security for media

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepali Journalists today demanded that the government address problems related to the media sector in the upcoming budget.

A delegation led by FNJ President Siva Gaule today met the Prime Minister to convey media concerns that needed to be addressed through the new budget.

FNJ has urged the government to earmark budget for construction of the FNJ Central Office. Likewise, it has demanded provision of insurance for working journalists and a conflict-affected journalist relief fund in the new budget. The demand submitted to the Prime Minister also urged the government to double the price of Public Service Announcements (PSAs).

FNJ pointed out the need to establish the senior Journalist Pension Fund as well as the FNJ Media Training Centre.

FNJ has also demanded that continuity be given to the Senior Journalist Recognition and National journalism Award and allocation of budget for establishment of the Krishna Prasad Bhattarai National Journalist Award in honour of the founder president of FNJ.

Besides, FNJ also demanded that the budget should focus on issues of security and programmes for enhancing the ability of journalists so as to bring a media friendly budget.

FNJ president Gaule was of the opinion that it is necessary to allocate budget for professional development of journalism and enhancement of the ability of the journalists, which in turn will contribute to the development of professional and responsible journalism in the country.

Likewise, the Wheelchair Movement Nepal (WMN), a media campaign for people with disability demanded that the upcoming budget should increase spending in the construction of disability friendly infrastructure.

Submitting a memorandum to the PM, UMN demanded necessary provision so as to ensure that all government infrastructure be constructed in a disability-friendly manner in future.

It has also demanded that all the ministry buildings inside the administration centre Singha Durbar be made accessible for disabled people.

Stating that the social security given to people living with disability was too little and the distribution process not transparent, UMN demanded hike in the disability allowance to 2,500 rupees per month.

Likewise, to initiate self-employment programmes for disabled people through the Poverty Alleviation Fund, tax free provision for industry or businesses run by persons with disability as well as broadcast of PSA to create a disability friendly environment in society were among other demands submitted in the memorandum.