Editor's Society Nepal honours senior, active journalists

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Jan. 18: Editors’ Society Nepal honoured and awarded senior and active journalists amid a programme held at its own building in Surairechaur of Shivapuri-7, Nuwakot in memory of its founding chairperson and veteran journalist Govinda Biyogi on Saturday. The first President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, presented honours and awards to the recipients.

On the occasion, senior journalists Sharad Chandra Wosti and Sudarshan Acharya were conferred the Editors’ Society Nepal Honour in recognition of their contributions to journalism. Dr. Yadav felicitated them with ceremonial shawls and certificates of appreciation. Wosti is a renowned Nepali language expert, while Acharya is a prominent and influential columnist.

Similarly, the Govinda Viyogi Journalism Award-2026 was presented to Dr. Jagat Nepal, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Ratna Rajyalaxmi Campus. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 25,001 along with a certificate.

The Govinda Biyogi Special Journalism Award was conferred to Chandani Hamal of Gorkhapatra Daily in recognition of her long-standing reporting and commentary on environmental protection and climate change mitigation. Another Special Journalism Award was presented to Rajendra Manandhar, a columnist of the weekly Shukraba: Ya Tansapau, for his contributions to journalism through the Nepal Bhasa language. Each of the Special Journalism Awards carries a cash prize of Rs. 15,001 and a certificate.

According to General Secretary Shyam Dotel, the awards and honours were conferred in accordance with a decision made at the Editors’ Society Nepal executive committee meeting held on January 11. 

Addressing the programme, former President Dr. Yadav urged journalists to continue fulfilling their professional responsibilities with integrity despite the country’s complex political and social challenges. He praised the Society’s objective of conducting research on journalism and training the younger generation, describing it as exemplary.

“Thank you for working thoughtfully on globally pressing issues such as climate change and the environment, and for passing on journalistic knowledge to the next generation,” Dr. Yadav said.

Recalling the early days of Nepali journalism, when very few newspapers were published, he described Govinda Biyogi’s contribution to the field as exemplary. He also lauded the role played by ethical journalists during the party-less Panchayat era, stating that their mission-driven work significantly contributed to the restoration of democracy in Nepal.

Shivapuri Rural Municipality Chairman Govinda Thapaliya informed the audience that the Society’s active role in climate change awareness and eco-tourism promotion has helped attract a growing number of tourists to the area.

Speaking at the programme, Editors’ Society Nepal Chairman Puru Rishal and Gorkhapatra Daily Editor-in-Chief Junar Babu Basnet pointed out the Society’s continued advocacy for press freedom and journalism standards.

Likewise, General Secretary Shyam Dotel, along with senior journalists Tirtha Koirala, Tanka Pant, and others, shared their views on emerging trends and challenges in the journalism sector.