Press Freedom Day celebrated

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The country observed the World Press Freedom Day together with the world today organising rallies and various other programmes. The theme for the World Press Freedom Day this year is ‘Media Freedom has the power to transform societies.’

The UN General Assembly proclaimed the Day in December 1993 as per the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. Since then, the world community has been observing the day on May 3 to inform that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights.

The world community observes the day to stress the fundamental principles of press freedom, protection of the free media from attacks and to pay tributes to journalists, who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

On the occasion, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), the umbrella organisation of working journalists across the country, organised a rally in the morning from Bhrikutimandap, which converged into the same place after passing through different parts of Kathmandu. FNJ office-bearers, former presidents, mediapersons and members of the civil society participated in the rally.

Addressing the rally, FNJ president Shiva Gaunle pointed that the freedom of expression and the free media are still under threat, even after the establishment of Loktantra.

FNJ general secretary Om Sharma said the new constitution should safeguard press freedom.

According to the FNJ, Nepal has seen murder of 33 mediapersons over the past 11 years while three are unaccounted for.

Coinciding with the Day, various organisations organised interactions in support of press freedom, right to expression and security of mediapersons.