Kathmandu, May 3, 2006 Nepali journalists celebrated International Press Freedom Day today with rallies and workshops in liberal atmosphere following the end of King Gyanendra’s direct rule, which started on February 1, 2005. A rally was taken out from Bhrikuti Mandap this morning. Addressing the mass, chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Bishnu Nisthuri said though days of struggle for media has ended, a new age of responsible media has begun. Balkrisna Chapagain of the Press Chautari Nepal congratulated journalists for being successful in restoring democracy in the country. A workshop on press freedom was also organised by FNJ. Prakash Mathema and Krishna Humangain were awarded with Sridhar Acharya Journalism Award. The award carries a purse of Rs 111,000. Human rights activist Krishna Pahadi and Nepal Bar Association president Shambhu Thapa addressed the function. The Reporters’ Club and Association of Nepalese Indigenous Journalists also greeted journalists to mark the occasion. Earlier, journalists Rajendra Sthapit and Nitu Pandit were awarded with Kriyashil Journalism Award at a separate programme yesterday.