Press Council Nepal launches Code of Conduct Awareness Campaign

Dhangadhi: The Press Council Nepal is on a visit to the Far-West to listen to the complaints against the media and the training of journalists. After concluding the program in Dhangadhi of Kailali on Wednesday, the team of the council will organize interaction in Kanchanpur on Thursday, Doti on Saturday and Achham on Sunday. The program was inaugurated in Dhangadhi on Wednesday with a commitment to abide by the Code of Conduct for Journalists.

The program has been started in Dhangadhi with the commitment of the participants to fully implement the Code of Conduct for Journalists. Speaking on the occasion, Press Council Nepal Chairman Bal Krishna Basnet said that complaints of non-compliance with the code of conduct were on the rise. 'The Press Council is in the process of strictly adhering to the Code of Conduct. Dignified and credible journalism requires adherence to a code of conduct." he said.

According to Basnet, the council is preparing to categorize the online as well as the magazine by preparing criteria. "Online classification, like magazine, has become necessary. We are in the final stages of setting standards," he said. He said that work is being done to bring YouTube under the scope of regulation.

Basnet pointed out the need to regulate the content broadcast from YouTube. Former Central Vice President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Chitrang Thapa, former central members Meen Bam, Shyam Bhatt, Dil Bahadur Chhatyal, Karna Shah, Manmohan Swar, Banka Central Deputy General Secretary Govind Rosyara, current president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Kailali Jagat Saud and others expressed concern over the recent increase in incidents of violation of code of conduct.

Incumbent central member Bharat Shah said that the Federation of Nepali Journalists was also serious about the issue. Members Hari Joshi and Lal Babu Sheikh, along with Council Chairman Basnet, were present on the occasion. More than 7 dozen journalists from the district were present in the program coordinated by the Kailali branch of the Federation of Nepali Journalists. The participating journalists also gave various suggestions to the council.