(Shur Bahadur Singh and Amarraj Pun)

The Karnali State chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has strongly demanded the implementation of Working Journalists Act (WJA) by issuing the Chaurajahari declaration.

The first generation convention of the Karnali State chapter of FNJ held recently for two days here pointed out the need of protecting the media houses in the Karnali State. The media persons are also urged to make news on nature, culture, religion and archaeology, and tourism and help government make the Visit Nepal Year 2020 successful.

State chapter chair Durga Thapa expressed worry why the Working Journalists’ Act was not implemented effectively despite the passage of 25 years since its introduction. Geographical difficulty was a severe challenge to the journalists working in this region, he said, adding that the declaration has included the issues as media awareness among public, need of study and research on media and its professional development, grants and working journalists’ fund.

The declaration further stated that advertisement of at least Rs 150 million was sent to the national media from the public offices of Karnali State while ignoring the local media. The dearth of advertisement and skilled human resources are some of the reasons that are questioning the sustainability of the media.

The amount provided to the Karnali journalists from the media development fund was inadequate, the declaration mentioned, adding that the chapter requested the State and federal governments to provide discount on electricity, telephone and internet facilities to the working journalists.

The Karnali State government has been demanded assistance to construct a building for FNJ chapter in the State.

Discount on custom duty and purchase of media equipment, increase in the distribution of public welfare advertisement, devolution of the authority providing accreditation and renewal of media and journalists’ press pass are other demands before the government.