MAY 17, 2011 Nepal's southern plain, as compared to the capital city and other places, is facing growing risk in terms of physical and professional security. Whether it is for journalists or entrepreneurs or the common public, the lack of security is a burning problem. In the recent years, journalists have also been the deliberate targets of armed outfits and other unruly groups thereby gagging the press freedom. Recent attacks, death threats and killing of journalists in Tarai have proved that Tarai is like a battlefield. So, practicing free and fair journalism is an uphill task.
At this backdrop, Freedom Forum and International Press Institute Nepal Chapter jointly felicitated a senior journalist, Brij Kumar Yadav, recognizing his courage and enthusiasm.
Reporter of BBC Nepali service from Janakpur, Brij Kumar Yadav was felicitated with the 'Courageous Journalism Award' by Chairman of the Constitutional Committee Nilambar Acharya amidst a programme organized in the Capital on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
On the occasion, Chairman Acharya assured that the 'press freedom ' will be mentioned in the preamble of the constitution and kept under the unalienable provision if the political parties agreed upon this.
He lauded the role of Nepali media saying it has played decisive role in each democratic movement of the country.
Reminding the horrendous killing of the proprietor of Janakpur Today in Janakpur one and half year ago, feted journalist Yadav expressed worries over growing insecurity to the journalists especially in Tarai region.
Similarly, Freedom Forum Chairman Taranath Dahal, IPI Nepal Chapter Chairman Padma Singh Karki, FNJ Chairman Dharmendra Jha expressed griefs over not ensuring press freedom from the State level.
Freedom Forum and IPI, Nepal Chapter has been jointly felicitating a courageous journalist every year on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day (May 3).
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022