Kathmandu, May 1

Federation of Nepali Journalists, including FNJ Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Lalitpur chapters, Sancharika Samuha and Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities organised a rally today calling for press freedom.

Nearly 150 journalists from Kathmandu valley participated in the rally that started from Maitighar Mandala and converged into a corner meet at New Baneshwor.

At the corner meet, FNJ president Govinda Acharya said the constitution had guaranteed freedom of expression, but the government was trying to curtail freedom of expression and press.

“On the one hand, the government is arresting journalists for writing news and articles on the other, it never gets tired of talking about ensuring press freedom,” he said.

FNJ President Acharya also said that the government treated journalists as criminals for writing against rampant corruption and other anomalies in the country.

“We strongly demand that the government ensure press freedom. Without press freedom, we cannot expose wrongdoings of the government and other public bodies,” he said.

President of FNJ Bhaktapur Chapter Puskar Budhathoki urged the government not to arrest journalists for carrying out their duty of covering news.