Kathmandu July 21 :

Nepali Congress leaders have expressed concern over the removal of journalist from work. During a meeting held jointly by the COVID-19 pandemic monitoring committee of the NC and Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) on Monday, monitoring committee coordinator Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said journalists must not be deprived of their professional rights. The government and concerned media houses should take it seriously why the working journalists are removed from work, he added.

Similarly, committee member and NC central member Dr Chandra Bhandari said protection of journalists and media is imperative in the wake of COVID-19 crisis. The role of media is appreciative not only for the news they disseminate but also for ensuring citizen’s access to information and help build good governance. “It’s inhuman to expel journalists from work,” he argued. Another leader NP Saud viewed that people from all professions should be ensured atmosphere where they can live without suffering.

On the occasion, FNJ President Govinda Acharya, informed that more than 2,000 working journalists lost their job and more than 700 media houses were closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown across the country. Former President of FNJ Harihar Birahi said it was worrying that government was not encouraging journalists. FNJ Secretary General Ramesh Bista said the media persons also suffered worst in the COVID-19 pandemic and were in need of help.