Mass media has significant role in federalism implementation: Minister Modi

KATHMANDU: Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Aman Lal Modi has said that the mass communication media has a pivotal role in implementation of federalism.

“Journalists played a big role in the political movement for restoration of democracy and loktantra. The role of mass media is equally important now also for the promotion of good governance and the implementation of federalism in the country,” he said addressing the UK Journalism Honour and Award Programme of Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Journalists (FoNIJ) here today.

Minister Modi suggested FoNIJ forged unity among the journalists for raising the issues of the indigenous communities.

“We, the indigenous nationalities, are still lagging behind in running the state and in matters of learning. Our language and style might be different, but the main goal is development of society. It is possible to achieve this goal through your suggestions and cooperation,” he said.

The Minister also assured of assisting FoNIJ to that end in coordination with the concerned ministry.

FoNIJ president Gajurdhan Rai said that they have been awarding and honouring all journalists writing for the rights and interests of the community and not only those journalists from a particular caste or community.

“This award will motivate those writing on topics related to the indigenous nationalities. It is not that a journalist should be from this particular community for the award. Rather, it is the contribution of the journalist that is appreciated,” Rai said.

Two journalists have been honoured on the occasion in recognition of their contribution to the uplift of the indigenous nationalities community, society and the nation by means of journalism.

The ‘FoNIJ UK Journalism Award, 2022’ was conferred on Ramita Lama, Tamang language news-reader with Radio Nepal and Nripendra Lal Shrestha, the president of Newa Patrakar Rastriya Dabu (Newa Journalists National Club). The award carries a purse of Rs 25 thousand and a citation.

FoNIJ has so far honoured 10 journalists with this award.