Kathmandu, September 3 :

A high-level International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission today arrived in the capital to monitor the situation of press freedom. The team is scheduled to meet political leaders and media activists during their four-day visit.

The team comprises representatives from ARTICLE 19, International Federation of Journalists, International Media Support, International News Safety Institute, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters and Open Society Institute. “The mission will meet PM Girija Prasad Koirala and deputy prime minister KP Oli tomorrow and join an open discussion,” said Mahendra Bista, the general-secretary of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists.

They will also meet UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress- (D) president Sher Bahadur Deuba and the Maoist supremo Prachanda. The Mission will review the situation of the media following the restoration of democracy and also provide suggestions for the reformation of the Nepali media policy to create a more liberal, professional and transparent media environment in Nepal. It will also discuss areas of support for strengthening the independent Nepali media community, he said.

The members of the mission will also hold an interaction with the national media community, donors, international community, government officials and members of civil society, according to the FNJ.