Media groups are concerned after the Speaker of the House of Representatives belittled the role of journalists in society.
This statement was originally published on freedomforum.org.np on 19 March 2023.
Freedom Forum has been alarmed over the statement of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, on March 18.
During a delegation of the Federation of Nepali Journalists on a discussion on formulation of media related laws and policies, Speaker Ghimire said, “Journalists are on hire.”
His views took the media fraternity, rights defenders and FoE advocates by surprise. It resulted in furor.
The Speaker’s statement has discredited the role of media persons and press freedom in Nepal; it is worrying that such abuse was uttered as it can demoralize professional journalists.
FF shows severe concern over the Speaker’s statement and urges authorities to respect press freedom and media persons, which have a significant role to play in promoting democracy and the rule of law in the country. Belittling the free press is betraying democratic values and the democratic system.
