Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwor Pokharel on Saturday emphasised professionalism of journalists.

In another context, he said the government had created the base for development activities.

"We have focused on agricultural commercialisation and modernisation, encouraged the development of industrial sector and initiated energy development. We have pursued development activities in a planned way," he said at a gathering and swearing in ceremony organised by the Press Association of State 1.

Likewise on the occasion, Nepal Communist Party standing committee member and state in-charge Bhim Acharya said journalists should disseminate right news to the people. The State Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai claimed that the state government has done significant work.

Deputy chief of the NCP Publicity Department and press advisor to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Surya Thapa, NCP state chair Devraj Ghimire, central chairperson of the Press Association Maheshwor Dahal, State Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hikmat Karki, Mayor of Itahari Sub Metropolitan City Dwarika Lal Chaudhary and chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists of State 1 Bikram Luitel wished the Press Association of State 1 a future success.

The gathering chaired by coordinator of the Press Association of State 1 Rajan KD concluded issuing a seven-point declaration.