NC leader Singh points out role of journalists to safeguard constitution

KATHMANDU, April 19: Nepali Congress leader Prakash Man Singh has pointed out an 'important' role of journalists to safeguard the constitution.  The press has an important role in safeguarding democracy and country's development, he said at an event organised here today to congratulate and honour the newly elected working committee of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) by the Nepal Press Union (NPU), Kathmandu branch.  Journalism is responsible to make people aware by finding out shortcomings committed by executive, judiciary and legislature, he said.  Stating that now main opposition NC supported the government in times of crisis, he asserted that it would also stand for the country and people in the days to come.  Accusing the incumbent government of trying to breach the constitution and interfere with the media sector, NC leader and former minister of state Udaya Shamsher Rana urged journalists to stand together against it.  Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Hari Prabha Khadgi (Shrestha) urged the FNJ new working committee to stand for press freedom and development.  Likewise, newly elected FNJ President Bipul Pokharel expressed his commitment that the FNJ working committee under his leadership would work day and night to safeguard democracy and press freedom.  NPU President Badri Sigdel urged the newly elected FNJ working committee to work for rights of working journalists. On the occasion, newly elected FNJ office bearers at all three levels, center, province and district, were honoured.  The event was attended by also NPU General Secretary Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti and Treasurer Saroj Adhikari, former NPU President, Kathmandu Nakul Acharya and NPU President, Kathmandu Jagannath Dulal among others.