Kathmandu, March 23:

UML standing committee member KP Oli said today that press freedom would not be realised unless there is democracy.

“The dignity of the press and its freedom cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of autocracy,” Oli said, at an interaction programe on press freedom, democracy and constituent assembly, organised by the Youth for Peace and Human Rights (YOPHUR).

Oli added that only complete and inclusive democracy would aptly address issues of the Janajatis, women, Dalits and marginalized groups. Nepali Congress leader Suprabha Ghimire said that press freedom without democracy cannot be visualised.

Thakur Gaire, general secretary of All Nepal National Free Students’ Union, said all civil society members and professionals should unite to fight for a common agenda of democracy. Presenting a concept paper on the occasion, Ashok Kumar Pathak of YOPHUR said along with journalists, publishers and broadcasting institutions should also take to the streets for the restoration of democracy.