South Asian journalists commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2009 during a two day regional conference in Kathmandu entitled “Media and Dialogue”

UNESCO, jointly with OHCHR and the Federation of Nepali Journalists, convened a regional conference in Kathmandu on 3 and 4 May to observe World Press Freedom Day. Participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan focused on this year’s theme: The potential of media in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
More than 150 media practitioners from Nepal and from the region attended the inauguration ceremony which was opened by Nepal's President, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav. Following the screening of a video on the visit of the International Media Mission (IMM) to Nepal in February 2009, during which UNESCO along with other members of the mission expressed deep concern over the deterioration of press freedom in Nepal, the President officially launched the report “A call to end violence and impunity”, prepared by the IMM.

During the discussions and the experience-sharing sessions, South Asian journalists showcased three specific themes of common interest and concern, namely: the limits to press freedom in South Asia; the potential of media in fostering dialogue, and the role of the media in empowering citizens in countries in transition.

Issues, such as access to reliable information, providing accurate and unbiased information to citizens and media as a platform for public debate and interaction between civil society and policy-makers were addressed. Particular attention was given to how media in South Asia deals with stereotypes and prejudices, religion and democracy and tolerance and freedom of opinion
The International Federation of Journalists, South Asian Chapter and the South Asia Media Solidarity Network presented their seventh annual South Asia Press Freedom Report, Under Fire: Press Freedom in South Asia 2008-2009. The report reveals a worrying decline in press freedom across the seven countries assessed (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka).

In the Declaration of Media Freedom in South Asia, adopted at the closing session, participants emphasized the importance of their solidarity in facing common interests and common media challenges. They stressed the importance of World Press Freedom Day as an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

DECLARATION ON MEDIA FREEDOM IN SOUTH ASIA

We, the representatives of professional media unions, associations and organisations from South Asia, meeting in Kathmandu to observe World Press Freedom Day, May 3, take note of the rapid deterioration in the situation for the functioning of a free media in a region that is home to a fifth of humanity.

We reaffirm our belief that free media institutions are an essential part of each of our countries’ efforts to build a truly democratic and representative political order. As working journalists, media practitioners and organisers, we are committed to the fostering of a democratic media culture with a responsibility to the public interest. We believe in professional freedom not as a privilege but as a responsibility, embodying respect for the truth and the right of every individual citizen to know.

We deplore the evident deterioration in the media freedom situation in the countries in this region and note that the most challenging issues for journalists are violence directed by state and non-state actors engaged in war, and bureaucratic and legislative efforts to silence dissent.

The hazards facing the free media in the region are epitomised, since World Press Freedom day last year, in the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge in Sri Lanka, Uma Singh in Nepal and Musa Khankhel in Pakistan. In India, which has despite other hazards, been a relatively safe place for journalists, there have been four murders, three arrests of editors or publishers, and one case of a news organisation being charged with sedition.

In Sri Lanka, J.S. Tissainayagam, arrested in March 2008 and charged with terrorism six months later, continues to face trial for articles written in 2006 that were critical of the military strategy of the government in its combat operations against separatist guerrillas in the east of the country.

Another Tamil newspaper editor in Sri Lanka was snatched from his home in February and held for two months, while senior officials of the government publicly branded him an accessory in terrorism. He was unconditionally discharged by a court in April 2009.

We demand that state authorities in our countries explicitly denounce these acts of lawlessness against the media and institute appropriate sanctions against those responsible. We call upon the enforcement authorities in our countries to bring to justice those responsible for acts of violence against journalists.

We resolve to remain united in cross-border solidarity, in our shared pursuit of an environment of respect for press freedom in our region. We underline our belief that an inclusive relationship between media communities and civil society is key to bringing about such an environment.

We pledge our commitment to working together as a cohesive network to support each other in our common aspiration to improve and assert press freedom and the rights of journalists in the South Asia region.

We express our gratitude to UNESCO, OHCHR and the Federation of Nepali Journalists for hosting and supporting this conclave on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

Kathmandu -May 4, 2009

Captions:- Photo of panelists participating to the opening ceremony (up).

Group photo of the participants of the Kathmandu conference (bottom).

© UNESCO/News and Pictures form Serena Pepino, UNESCO Office in Kathmandu.

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Comment by Ram K.Karmacharya on June 11, 2010 at 9:28am: http://www.onlinepatrika.com/components/com_gk3_photoslide/thumbs_b...
केही आराम

खुल्ला मचमा बिश्राम गर्दै कार्यकर्ता । तस्बीर : बिक्रम राई See details
'Journalists at Risk for Defending Human rights'
मंगलवार, 04 में 2010 00:01
Written by अनलाईन पत्रिका
0 Comments
Every day, journalists around the world face the threat of intimidation, censorship, imprisonment and violence, including torture, for their efforts to report on human rights violations. Join Amnesty International and other human rights organizations in marking World Press Freedom Day by taking action and supporting journalists at risk for defending human rights.

Mr. Ramkrishna Karmacharya whom I have attempted to bring in light in this article on the occasion of the WPFD.My very old and generous friend.We had first acquainted through the magazine.I used to send my writings in different magazines published under his editorship. He used to publish them. This is the story of the year 1960 AD. Later I met him in Kathmandu. It was not only due to the literature and journalism relation but we also met in the pure social organization like due to heretical relations. We come much closer. My friend is a senior journalist, literate a social worker or to say I am trying to height something about Karmacharya, a well known person among the world of international journalists.

Mr.Karmacharya,who was always worried for professional rights,welfare and security and had been the executive member of International Organization of Journalists,and considering his services in social filled.Nepal Government had was engaged in the work. He also joined Nepal Scout Nepal Red cross life long member.Besides he established under the editorship of Mr.Munindra Raj Shrestha, Daily Mother Land and Naya Sandesh Weekly Mr.Ramesh Nath Pandey.Besides these in his own editorship,the had edited Goreto,Astittwo Weekly,Samannwaya and Daily Newspaper Akhabar also,as well as many magazine.

After being elected from Asia by the 12 convention of International Organization of Journalists held in Amman the capital of Jordan,Karmacharya had demanded 50% discount in air fare and life insurgence,for the journalism profession being highly risky and sensitive,on june26,1995 in order to high light the image of Nepal During the period of premiership of Kirti Nidhi Bista and at the time of election of Press council ,Madan Regmi ,supposed to be the right hand of prime minister and director of the government but I ran away escaping from the trap of persons who wanted to distort the journalism professional as he had said.

He says that be left politics for journalism in order to go before the public being unprejudiced against the perversion and corruption due to dirty politics which is going into the marsh.Saying that he has never done politics which is not associated with professional rights and welfare,he further says-"the 25% discount which the students get is the out come of students movement cared in 2021/22 B.S.

Karmacharya, who has passed Higher Diploma in Journalism from Moscow (Russia),has traveled different countries in the capacity of journalist.He was the Secretary of Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Committee of Executive member of World Peace Committee and also in Center Film Censor Board.He,who has taken the training of Nepal Scout Wood-badge,takes the name of real journalists Mr.Gopal Dash Shrestha and Govinda Viyogi.who is getting exhausted with the age factor,has personally recievedGorkha Dashin bahu award,First Comedy(Gaijatra)Award(Nepal),Buddhas Grand Award(Japan).But he says that he will go on working for the development of society till his death.

By Dinesh Rajbhandari - Boston, U.S.A.

Comment by Ram K.Karmacharya on June 11, 2010 at 9:25am: http://www.onlinepatrika.com/components/com_gk3_photoslide/thumbs_b...
केही आराम

खुल्ला मचमा बिश्राम गर्दै कार्यकर्ता । तस्बीर : बिक्रम राई See details
'Journalists at Risk for Defending Human rights'
मंगलवार, 04 में 2010 00:01
Written by अनलाईन पत्रिका
0 Comments
Every day, journalists around the world face the threat of intimidation, censorship, imprisonment and violence, including torture, for their efforts to report on human rights violations. Join Amnesty International and other human rights organizations in marking World Press Freedom Day by taking action and supporting journalists at risk for defending human rights.

Mr. Ramkrishna Karmacharya whom I have attempted to bring in light in this article on the occasion of the WPFD.My very old and generous friend.We had first acquainted through the magazine.I used to send my writings in different magazines published under his editorship. He used to publish them. This is the story of the year 1960 AD. Later I met him in Kathmandu. It was not only due to the literature and journalism relation but we also met in the pure social organization like due to heretical relations. We come much closer. My friend is a senior journalist, literate a social worker or to say I am trying to height something about Karmacharya, a well known person among the world of international journalists.

Mr.Karmacharya,who was always worried for professional rights,welfare and security and had been the executive member of International Organization of Journalists,and considering his services in social filled.Nepal Government had was engaged in the work. He also joined Nepal Scout Nepal Red cross life long member.Besides he established under the editorship of Mr.Munindra Raj Shrestha, Daily Mother Land and Naya Sandesh Weekly Mr.Ramesh Nath Pandey.Besides these in his own editorship,the had edited Goreto,Astittwo Weekly,Samannwaya and Daily Newspaper Akhabar also,as well as many magazine.

After being elected from Asia by the 12 convention of International Organization of Journalists held in Amman the capital of Jordan,Karmacharya had demanded 50% discount in air fare and life insurgence,for the journalism profession being highly risky and sensitive,on june26,1995 in order to high light the image of Nepal During the period of premiership of Kirti Nidhi Bista and at the time of election of Press council ,Madan Regmi ,supposed to be the right hand of prime minister and director of the government but I ran away escaping from the trap of persons who wanted to distort the journalism professional as he had said.

He says that be left politics for journalism in order to go before the public being unprejudiced against the perversion and corruption due to dirty politics which is going into the marsh.Saying that he has never done politics which is not associated with professional rights and welfare,he further says-"the 25% discount which the students get is the out come of students movement cared in 2021/22 B.S.

Karmacharya, who has passed Higher Diploma in Journalism from Moscow (Russia),has traveled different countries in the capacity of journalist.He was the Secretary of Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Committee of Executive member of World Peace Committee and also in Center Film Censor Board.He,who has taken the training of Nepal Scout Wood-badge,takes the name of real journalists Mr.Gopal Dash Shrestha and Govinda Viyogi.who is getting exhausted with the age factor,has personally recievedGorkha Dashin bahu award,First Comedy(Gaijatra)Award(Nepal),Buddhas Grand Award(Japan).But he says that he will go on working for the development of society till his death.

By Dinesh Rajbhandari - Boston, U.S.A.

Comment by Ram K.Karmacharya on June 10, 2010 at 5:59am: > Dear Sir,
> We are keen interested to attend upcoming events.It is my great
> pleasure to express the profound thanks to you for your efforts. We send
> you brief information.Nepal government has decided to celebrate 2011 A.D a
> tourism year, which is very positive indication of development. It has
> targeted to bring more than one million tourists from allover the world
> into Nepal.From 8th National plan, our country has focused on poverty
> reduction of journalists but still we are in the vicious circle of
> poverty. So economic development through tourism sounds good and plays
> important role in infrastructure development. So we request for your
> excellent cooperation between us and hope that bilateral relations will
> grow further in future.We would like to send you brief information about
> Nationa Press Club,Nepal(NPCN). Nepal is the poorest country in the world.
> Its poverty reduction rate are (1) low per capital income (2)concentration
> on urban growth,(3)high population growth rate.Out of 23 million
> population, 38% are in below the poverty line.Most of the poor people live
> in rural area and have little opportunity,who have no collateral, but
> willing to work and desire to do some activities through which he/she will
> require employment as well as income.Although many program mes have bee
> implemented for poverty alleviation in Nepal, only programmers are seen-as
> poor-targeted and rural based. We are keen interested to attend your
> upcoming program me,what to do for registration please send us details
> through by post as soon as possible. NPCN believes in peace, progress,
> democracy always works environment awareness dedicated to elevating the
> standard of the fourth estate of the country and has contribution well
> informed to people. NPCN fulfill the following aims
> -to exchange the ideals of journalism.
> -to exchange views with journalists science & technology.
> -to work for peace, disarmament environmental and sound fellowship.
> -believe in democracy.always works to protect occupational rights
>
> NPCN celebrating its Silver jubilee at Lalit Party Venue Mr.Nara
> Bahadur Karmacharya ( FounderLeader of Nepal Communist former
> vice-prime mister and leader NCP-UML)and Party -NCP)opening Silver
> jubilee ceremony.Mr.Bam Dev Gautam(H.E.Jang Young Chol
> (ambassadorD.P.R.Korea)Mr.C.P.Mainali(general
> secretary-NCP-Male)highlighted to present situation of the
> country.General meeting also reelected eleven members executive
> committee of NPCN Mr.Ramkrishna Karmacharya as the Chairman.
>
> highest consideration.
>
> With best regards.
> Yours
Rara Shrestha
> Secretary,
> National Press Club,Nepal
> P.O.Box 4657 Kathmandu.
> Website: www. npc.org.np

Comment by Yadab Bastola on February 25, 2010 at 8:04am: Hi Serena, Thanks for your comment , Please have a look, I have added the information .
Thanks once again .Hope you are well in Italy . any new progress ? Thanks

Comment by Serena Pepino on February 24, 2010 at 4:41pm: Hey Yadab, could you please add the following?

1.
Photo of panelists participating to the opening ceremony (up).
Group photo of the participants of the Kathmandu conference (bottom).
© UNESCO

2.
(Written by) Serena Pepino
UNESCO Office in Kathmandu

This article is linked to a few UNESCO pages so it needs to be acknowledged as UNESCO. Thank you!

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