5th National Photojournalism Awards announced

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 26: The National Photojournalist Group (NFPJ Nepal) has announced the ‘5th National Photojournalism Awards 2025,’ to be held on the occasion of National Photojournalism Day. 

The awards ceremony will take place in Kathmandu on April 25.

NFPJ Nepal, the first official association of professional photojournalists in Nepal, established on September 22, 1996, will honour photojournalists working in home and abroad across 16 categories.  Winners will receive trophies, certificates of honour, and a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 for the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’  

The national-level awards include nine categories: Daily Life, Sports, Women, Tourism and Culture, Economy, Politics, Entertainment, Independent Photojournalism, and Comprehensive Photojournalism.

 Likewise, seven provincial-level awards will recognise outstanding photojournalists from Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.  

The selection committee, chaired by senior photojournalist Pradeep Raj Onta, includes experts Sailendra Kharel, photojournalist, Surya Thapaliya, senior manager, Nepal Tourism Board, Megendra Prakash Giri, branding head, Suryajyoti Life Insurance, Sauraganga Darshandhari, artist and Manoj Dahal, associate editor, Desh Sanchar. 

Entries will be judged on technical merit, news value, ethics, socio-cultural impact, creativity and innovation, said NFPJ. 

NFPJ Nepal President Pradeep Raj Onta highlighted that the awards were initiated in 2016 as the government did not recognise the photojournalists' rights and contributions. 

The organising committee, led by Senior Vice-President Sagar Shrestha, includes seven members. Former NFPJ President Bikash Rauniyar and jury member Sailendra Kharel extended their best wishes for the event’s success.