Only a free press consolidates democracy: President Paudel

KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that the more the press is impartial, independent and strong, the more the democratic system is consolidated.

Addressing a programme organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology at the Sheetal Niwas to mark the Ninth National Journalism Day 2081 today, he said press freedom is an important aspect of the overall society’s democratization campaign.

The Head of State stated that this sector has a significant role towards promoting the national interest by means of the journalism principles and professionalism. “I have the confidence that you will work with commitment towards enhancing the public faith on press, rendering it more professional, responsible and able to bear the responsibility towards society through the promotion of investigation and newness in journalism,” he added.

The President recalled that the role played by the Nepali press fraternity was important in ending the autocratic rule and establishment of the federal democratic republic. “Fair and independent journalism is possible only in a democratic government system, so now you will be more active in strengthening it and increasing people’s trust in this system,” he said.

Noting that with the development of information technology and the Internet, the increasing use of social media and the false and misleading information that can flow through it can mislead the citizens and weaken the system, President Paudel expressed his belief that the Nepali Press will move forward in a more effective manner in the coming days to provide true and factual information to the people, facing up to these challenges.

On the occasion, Prateek Pradhan and Tribhuvan Poudel (posthumously) were awarded with the Senior Journalist Honour 2080 while Menaka Chaudhary, Suryamani Gautam, Bhawani Singh Ayer, Deepak Gyawali, Tripti Shahi and Prem Bahadur Karki Dholi (Rajan KD) have been awarded with the National Journalism Award 2080.