KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 11
Vibrant and unbiased media is an absolute condition for healthy democracy and free elections, according to Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Canada to Nepal, Amanda Strohan.
She said this addressing a mentorship programme on Wednesday organized for journalists from all seven provinces, who are winners of a fellowship programme.
A total of 14 fellows including nine women representing electronic, broadcast, print and online journalism have been selected as part of an initiative to promote fair media coverage of elections by Media Action Nepal with support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). Aligned with Canada's thematic priority areas for engagement abroad, the CFLI is a program designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries like Nepal.
At the event, the Canadian diplomat expressed her happiness to partner with civil society organizations like Media Action Nepal to strengthen professional capacity of journalists through a sensitization workshop, mentoring and fellowships and said that the partnership has produced good results.
Also speaking on the occasion, Media Action Nepal Chairperson Laxman Datt Pant said, "Journalists are responsible for facilitating free flow of information to help people make informed choices about elections. They, therefore, have a critical role to play to ensure free and fair elections."
In addition to Pant, a global expert on media and election campaigns, Dr. Turdubaeva Elira, was the mentor at the programme. She shared why and how journalists can counter elections related disinformation and shed light on election campaigns and disinformation as well as how media persons can promote inclusive media content.
Vice Chair of Media Action Nepal Priyanka Jha moderated the event.
