KATHMANDU: Minister for Information and Communications Mohan Bahadur Basnet today pledged to hold discussions with media houses to ensure the professional rights of working journalists.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Federation of Nepali Journalists(FNJ) in the Capital today, Basnet committed to providing security and services to the journalists as per the laws.

He also vowed to implement the mass media policy and help guarantee the minimum wages to the working journalists.

Minister Basnet further anticipated media persons to take  the role of watchdog regarding the implementation of the Constitution.

Similarly, FNJ President Dr Mahendra Bista complained that the government was not paying attention to establishing a Mass Media Training Academy and implementing the mass media policy.

He further added that the FNJ was fighting to ensure the professional rights of journalists that is yet to be achieved in full scale.

Meanwhile, Press Council Nepal Chair Bhawani Baral also extended best wishes to Minister Basnet for effective and result oriented tenure.