KATHMANDU, JUNE 13
Press Council Nepal has urged the government to ensure free treatment for journalists facing health problems due to the Covid-19 infection.
At a Lumbini Province-level virtual programme organised by Press Council Nepal regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on journalists and media today, Press Council Chairman Bal Krishna Basnet said that working in favour of journalists during this time of pandemic was a crucial responsibility.
Saying that the council's attention had been drawn to the issue of the Media Bill, Basnet expressed the view that the bill should be friendly towards the media fraternity. He laid emphasis that all should be aware and follow and implement the Journalists' Code of Conduct as fair journalism would develop only from its implementation. "The council should take initiatives with the government to provide facilities to the media through public welfare advertisement."
Similarly, President of Federation of Nepali Journalists and Council Member Bipul Pokhrel said that the problem should be addressed immediately as many newspapers have closed due to COVID-19 and there are issues with the public welfare advertisement as well.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 14, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
