KATHMANDU: “Freedom of expression, Teachers of Journalism the best to articulate this,” Chief Commissioner, National Information Commission, Binaya Kasajoo, speaking at an certificate distribution ceremony for an orientation training programme organised by Article 19, today.

The programme was organised as part of the Agenda for Change, a campaign for promoting and upholding, freedom of expression, in the country. “Agenda for Change has come up with 63 recommendations needed to reform freedom of expression scenario in Nepal,” Laxman Datt Pant, coordinator of the programme informed.

Santosh Sigdel, assigned to train the teachers on international standard and trends said,”Many of the existing provisions in Nepalese law makes the exercise of freedom of expression difficult.” Country representative of Article 19, Tanka Raj Aryal, highlighted the role of media.”Only in the absence of undue influence can the media exercise freedom of expression,” he stressed.

Babu Ram Aryal, resource person of the training said, “Information should be availed to public before they plead for.”

Participants, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the present trend. Yam Bahadur Dura, Madan Mani Adhikary, Samjhana Neupane, Shambhu Kattel, Om Prakash Ghimire, Jay Ram Gautam, Kamal Paudel and Pratibedan Baidya among others expressed their views.