Kathmandu, May 5:

Outgoing president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Bishnu Nisthuri today resigned from the post of ex-officio advisor to the FNJ and also from the FNJ general membership to facilitate the probe committee constituted to look into the alleged irregularities in the journalists’ umbrella organisation.

FNJ had constituted a probe committee yesterday after some journalists alleged irregularities in the FNJ.

As per the statute of the FNJ, immediate past president is an ex-officio advisor to the organisation.

“It is not appropriate for me to continue to hold any position after my leadership was questioned, Nishthuri said in his press statement issued today. He also urged to immediately make public the findings of the probe committee.

Likewise, Bal Krishna Chapagain, president of Press Chautari Nepal today resigned from his post owning up the moral responsibility for the failure to ensure victory of Press Chautari-backed journalists who had contested for different posts.

Mahendra Bista, who had the backing of Press Chautari, had contested for the post of FNJ president and lost to Dharmendra Jha.

Fight for democratic culture on: FNJ prez:

Kathmandu: Newly elected president of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Dharmendra Jha today said the FNJ should continue its fight for a democratic culture because press freedom is guaranteed only in democracy. “Apart from working to implement the Working Journalists’ Act and develop professional journalism, fight for democratic culture should continue,” Jha said while addressing a welcome programme organised by the Nepal Press Union.

“Given the political scenario, it seems road ahead is bumpy. I think, we still will have to fight for democracy, security of press and press freedom,” he added.

NC leader Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat expressed the hope that new FNJ leadership would work towards safeguarding democracy, human rights, press freedom and right to information. — HNS