Media’s role remarkable in political change: CM Rai

Biratnagar, Dec 20,, Chief Minister of Province no 1, Sherdhan Rai, has said that the role of media was remarkable in ushering in extraordinary change in political sector of the country.
Inaugurating the national convention of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), here today, Chief Minister Rai stressed the need of further increasing the role of media sector in nation building.
He said that no one can ever curtail press freedom as press freedom has been mentioned in the preamble of the constitution itself, suggesting the media sector should keep its activities in forefront to change the negative situation seen in the society into positive.
Recalling that national communication policy was formulated, a report for minimum wages of journalists was forwarded and journalist accident insurance was brought during his term as the Communications Minister, Chief Minister expressed the commitment that he would provide possible support for the professional and capacity building of media persons.
Similarly, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, Hikmat Kumar Karki, urged the media persons not to doubt over the province government on the issue of press freedom. Likewise, Parliamentary Party leader of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal, province no 1, Jayram Yadav, asked the media sector to devote itself in development of the national and bring change in the society.
Chairperson of Press Chautari Nepal, Ganesh Basnet, said that the media persons should change themselves to build a decent society while President of Nepal Press Union, Badri Sigdel, expressed the view that it would be attack on the democracy if press freedom was curtailed.
Similarly, Chairperson of Minimum Wages Fixation Committee, Gangadhar Parajuli, shared the information that 25 per cent salary of media persons has now been increased at the recommendation of the Committee while former President of FNJ, Shiva Gaunle, argued that media persons should not forget their responsibilities at a time when talking about their rights.
Morang Chapter President of FNJ, Bandhu Pokharel, FNJ President of Province 1, Bikram Luintel, and FNJ Vice-President Bipul Pokharel, stressed the need of making further strong at a programme organised under the chairmanship of FNJ President Govinda Acharya.
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