Kathmandu, Sept 23: Minister of Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that the media sector has contributed to making the democratic movements in the country successful and to inform the society, even if it is at risk.
Speaking at the ‘Hem-Sunil Risky Television Journalism Award’ distribution ceremony organized by Nepal Television Federation of Nepali Journalists Chapter today, he said that the state is working to protect the media sector that raises voice against anomalies and aberrations.
“Journalists are fulfilling their duties despite not getting even the minimum wage and facing risks in different ways,” he said, “It is the responsibility of the state to protect the media and we are introducing policies and laws to facilitate the journalism sector.”
Informing that the Public Service Broadcasting Act will be implemented soon, Minister Gurung said that the adjustment between Nepal Television and Radio Nepal will be carried out in an organised manner.
Secretary of the Ministry, Radhika Aryal, emphasized that both Radio Nepal and Nepal Television should cooperate in the implementation of the Public Service Broadcasting Act. “Law making is top priority for the ministry this year, everyone’s support is necessary towards that end”, she said.
Hem-Sunil Risky Television Journalism Award to five journalists
On the occasion, this year’s Hem-Sunil Risky Television Journalism Award was presented to Kantipur television journalists Hom Karki, Prakash Timalsina and Shyam Shrestha and Nepali Television journalists Durga Kumari Bhatt and Bipin Srivastava.
Minister Gurung presented the award to the five journalists, including a cash prize of Rs. 100,000. Kantipur journalists were honoured for their coverage of the Israel-Hamas war while Nepal television journalists bagged the prize for their news report from the remote Api Himal region of Darchula.
Executive chair of National News Agency or RSS, Dharmendra Jha, a member of the award selection committee, said that the award was selected by evaluating the choice of topic, environment, scene and its impact. “Journalism itself is a risky job,” he said, “This award in as encouragement for journalists who take risks while performing their duties.”
Executive Chair of Nepal Television Samir Jung Shah, General Manager Fulman Bal Tamang, Acting President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Bala Adhikari, and president of FNJ, NTV chapter Deepak Jung Hamal, also spoke on the occasion.
The Federation of Nepali Journalists, Nepal Television chapter has been giving this award in memory of journalists Hemraj Bhandari and Sunil Singh, who died on duty in a helicopter crash. #HemSunil #NepalTelevision #journalist
