Bhairahawa, September 1:

The National Communication Conference, organised by the central committee

of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and the FNJ Rupandehi chapter, concluded today, issuing a 15-point Lumbini declaration.

The declaration covers diverse issues, including rights, professional security and independence of journalists and growth of media outside the Kathmandu valley.

The 15-point declaration has sought the implementation of the Working Journalists’ Act. It has demanded changes in the procedure governing the classification of newspapers and government assistance for community and commercial radio stations. Speaking at the concluding function, president of the FNJ Bishnu Nishturi said that the FNJ will play a crucial role for the development of journalism outside the Kathmandu valley.