Clean and independent journalism is beautiful aspect of democracy: Minister Sharma

Kathmandu, May 3: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma stated that clean and independent journalism was a beautiful aspect of democracy.     

At a rally organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day in Kathmandu today, Minister Sharma acknowledged that the journalism sector had played an important role in all movements leading to changes including political movements.     

The World Press Freedom Day is observed on May 3 each year in commemoration of the Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press issued in Windhoek in Namibia in 1991.     

The Slogan for this year's celebration is - “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”- set by UNESCO.     

Sharma argued that independent, impartial and neutral journalism had played an important role in making this sector further dignified. The Minister assured, "The Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed full press freedom. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is in the process of formulating and implementing laws relating to freedom of the press."     

Stating that she was in the right place to formulate necessary laws, and policies in favour of freedom of the press, Minister Sharma reaffirmed to always stand by the side of journalists.     

Furthermore, expressing her concern over increasing negativity in every matter in our society, she viewed that journalists had a greater role to disseminate positive messages to society while being aware of attacks on the democratic and republic system.     

FNJ President Bipul Pokharel rued that the way journalists were being attacked lately, he said that, it was necessary for the FNJ and the working journalists to work to fully control it.     

He also pointed out the need to review about challenges prevailing in the journalism sector in the country. (RSS)