Koirala's 'Constructive Journalism' published

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Sept. 6: Tumaraj Koirala, a journalism teacher, has come up with the first Nepali book on constructive journalism in Nepali, titled 'Rachanatmak Patrakarita: Haate Pustak' (Constructive Journalism: A Manual Book).

The book is published by the Office of the Communication Registrar, Bagmati Province. According to Communication Registrar Rebati Prasad Sapkota, the book has been published with the aim of providing basic information in Nepali about the latest global practices of journalism to reduce despair and negativity prevalent in society.

"With the rapid growth of technology and the widespread dissemination of negative news, trust in journalism has been eroding," Sapkota said. "Constructive journalism is expected to restore that trust, which is why its practice is increasing in different countries across the world." He added that the book intends to serve as a guide for those who wish to study and adopt this practice.

Head of the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Tribhuvan University, Dr. Kundan Aryal, expressed his belief that the book would challenge Nepali journalists to engage in constructive journalism. "In the coming days, students who will lead newsrooms will find this book useful in advancing Nepali journalism with new momentum in a constructive direction," he has written in the preface of the book.

International leaders of institutions that are at the forefront of constructive journalism practices have also contributed forewords to the book. Tina Rosenberg, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network, which promotes constructive approaches under the name 'Solutions Journalism,' writes, "With the active initiatives of Nepali journalists, journalist associations, and policy makers, solutions journalism in Nepal is no longer limited to an idea; it has already entered the practice."

According to her, the book, prepared by a certified trainer of the Solutions Journalism Network, is a product of that progress.

Similarly, Ulrik Haagerup, founder and CEO of the Constructive Institute at Aarhus University in Denmark, writes in his foreword, "This book documents Nepal's commitment to democracy and the courage to rethink the role of journalism." 

Kate Torney, Asia-Pacific Director of the Institute and Professor of Constructive Journalism at Monash University, Australia, writes in her foreword, "Time has come to bring a transformation in journalism, one that inspires, informs, and empowers people." 

She adds that transformation begins with constructive journalism.

Author Koirala, who is pursuing MPhil–PhD research in journalism at Tribhuvan University, said that the book was prepared as a window into global practices and ongoing movements in constructive journalism. "During my academic research, I realised that constructive journalism is equally indispensable in the Nepali context," he said. "This book is my attempt to share the knowledge I have gained."

Koirala, who has more than one and a half decades of career as a journalist, is currently involved in teaching journalism. A certified trainer in solutions journalism from the Solutions Journalism Network, Koirala is famous in Nepali literature by the name Kala Anuragi.

According to the publisher, the book can be received from the Office of the Communication Registrar in Hetauda and Jawalakhel.