BAGLUNG, July 9: Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel has called for journalism sector to keep vigil on the governments through healthy and constructive criticism.
“Journalism is a pillar of democratic system”, he said while virtually delivering his best wishes on the occasion of the 21st establishment day of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Baglung Chapter today.
“After ascending to the power, we may not be able to notice our own weaknesses through government lenses. I invite journalism fraternity to oversee us through healthy criticism”, he added.
The Chief Minister also recalled the contributions made by journalism sector in the historical people’s movements, including in the establishment of democratic republic.
He pledged to provide possible support in the institutional development and capacity strengthening of journalists on the end of province government.
On the occasion, CM Pokharel also inaugurated the website of the FNJ, Baglung chapter, shared chapter chair Naresh Kandel.
GALKOT, May 3: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Baglung has built a Covid-19 isolation ward for its members working on the frontline amidst the increased risk of second wave of coronavirus infection. Chapter chair Naresh Kandel said chapter’s meeting hall has been converted to a 10-bed isolation facility for the immediate use.
“Journalists are at high risk of the infection as they work on the front line during this pandemic, many journalists in the district reside in rented houses and are not in the position of observing home isolation if infected,” he added. The capacity of the facility will be expanded gradually, it is said.
As he said, five journalists who had contracted the virus have been recovered. “Though no journalist is infected at the moment, this could be happened at any time, we are aware that situation may change at any time and are being prepared accordingly.’’
The Dhaulagiri Hospital is to co-operate the FNJ chapter to operate the isolation facility with the oxygen therapy system. Hospital chief medical superintendent Dr Shailendra B Pokhrel said he was happy to see the establishment of the isolation ward for journalists on their own. He stressed the need of ensuring more and more Covid-19 isolation facilities to cope with the potential crisis of beds in the hospital if the infection rate continues to rise in the days ahead.
Brother Surgical and Diagnostic Pvt Ltd proprietor Neelkanth Sharma has provided an electric hand sanitizer dispenser, 250 pieces of masks, five liters of hand sanitizer, pulse oxymeter, digital blood-pressure monitor and a digital thermometer for the isolation ward, according to Kandel.
The Baglung chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has decided to technically equip the working journalists in the district. At a time when the modern journalism has warranted quality enhancement among journalists, the technical gadgets as laptop, computer, hard disk, memory card, WIFI, pen drive, camera have been essential to them, the district chapter asserted.
The newly elected FNJ working committee in the district which is led by Naresh Kandel said it was imperative for them to retain journalists in media profession. Technology is a must to empower them and hone their profession skills, he added.
He however said the payment working journalists were getting from media houses was negligible to equip them well. "New leadership will now assist journalists not only in protection of journalists' rights, but also for their technological enhancement," Kandel stressed.
According to the new working committee, every journalist will have a laptop now.
Earlier, the district chapter got its own office building under the leadership of Dil Sirish. It cost Rs 10 million to construct the building.
