KATHMANDU, May 7: Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki today viewed that journalism profession should play the role of a watchdog and be honorable and respectable.
Speaking at a blood donation programme following a morning procession organized on the occasion of the National Journalism Day on Sunday, the minister said journalism is the fourth estate of the nation and it should be made honourable and the journalists should practice their profession honestly to that end.
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Disciplined journalism would help develop the country, he said and urged entire media to stick to professional norms and values. Referring to publication of the oldest Gorkhapatra daily 117 years back, he said journalism had taken a stride of development from that time.
Similarly on the occasion, secretary of the ministry Mahendra Man Gurung said journalists should be qualified enough to work as a guardian for all groups and areas in society while stressing the need for the development of journalism in the days to come.
Chairman of the Information and Mass Communication High Level Committee Kashiraj Dahal was of the view that journalists should establish themselves as an agent of the development of the nation.
Also, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Dr Mahendra Bista underscored the need for journalism to play a big role to institutionalise agenda of change.
The morning procession started from Exhibition Road and went through various places before ending at Bhugolpark in New Road. The procession was participated by various organisations.
Meanwhile, this year's 'Senior Journalism Award' will be conferred on Krishna Tamrakar, Bidhwo Bandhu Bhandari, Narayan Prasad Sharma and Madan Mani Dixit while 'National Journalism Award' will be provided to Ganesh Shekhar Sharma, Shiba Bahadur Karki, Sirajuddhin Khan and Gajendra Bahadur Budhathoki. RSS