Himalayan News Service

Pokhara, May 14:

The media ought to play an active role, especially during times of conflict, according to senior journalist and editor of Samaya weekly, Yuvraj Ghimire. Ghimire was speaking today at a two-day workshop jointly organised by the Nepal Press Institute and FNJ, Kaski.

Ghimire said it was time that journalists worked without fear of being influenced by any force. He added that so long as journalists filed news truthfully, the “sum-pression” of news would help in resolution of conflict. Ghimire said it was the duty of journalists to be unprejudiced.

The press should be independent, Ghimire said, adding that certain journalists were serving the vested interests of politicians. Some newspapers were mouth-pieces of political parties, he said.

Outgoing president of FNJ, Taranath Dahal, said journalists of Nepal were working according to a code of conduct but were deprived of freedom as promised by the Constitution of Nepal.

The Press Council has defined a code of conduct, said Dahal, adding that FNJ would never give up its fight for press freedom in the country.

Senior journalist P Kharel criticised both the government and the Maoists. Journalists are being harassed by both the Maoists and the government, Kharel said, adding ironically a charter regarding security of the journalists exists since 2002.

Over 50 journalists attended. A report on tortures inflicted on journalists by the state and Maoists was submitted.