Women journalists working in various media outlets have emphasized on professional and dignified journalism. Journalists participating in an interaction on ‘Digital Media Management and Journalist Code of Ethics’ held in the capital on Wednesday pointed out the need for accountability in the Nepali journalism sector in recent days.
In coordination with Working Women Journalists (WWJ), the program was organized by Press Council Nepal. The women journalists participating in the program discussed the need for the Press Council, the body responsible for monitoring and regulating the independent press, to play an important role as there are currently many problems in digital media.
At the program, Press Council member Santarem Bidari informed about the journalist code of ethics and said that it will bind journalists and the media morally.
Press Council member Nakul Aryal, answering the questions of women journalists, said that the council is a supportive organization for journalists and it will facilitate making journalism professional and dignified.
Similarly, former member of the council and WWJ advisor Subekchhya Bindu Tuladhar informed about the women-friendly communication guidelines, disability-friendly communication guidelines, senior citizen-friendly communication guidelines issued by the council.
She recalled that these guidelines were prepared after a detailed study of Nepal's national laws, international treaties and agreements and after collecting opinions and suggestions from relevant stakeholders.
Chief Officer of the council, Jhabindra Bhusal, informed that the council is working on YouTube regulation and management.
At the program, WWJ President Ramkala Khadka said that the increasing interference in the press and freedom of expression is a matter of serious concern and emphasized that journalists should follow the code of ethics and promote dignified, responsible and professional journalism.
She said that in some cases, journalists have complained that the council itself has pressured them to remove news from online portals, and that the council should work in the coming days to eliminate such a trend and create an environment where they can work independently.
