Laws limiting press freedom to be amended: Speaker Mahara

Kathmandu –Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara today said some legal provisions that limit the press freedom would be amended. 

Referring to amendments to some laws related to right to information made in the past after holding necessary consultations with concerned sectors, he said, "Any weakness in the laws relating to fundamental rights can be amended." 

Speaker Mahara was addressing at a seminar on 'Constitution and full press freedom' orgnised here jointly by the Federation of Nepali Journalists and the Nepal America Journalists' Association (NEAJA). 

Recognising the role of media-persons in building a healthy and competitive society, he urged them to be committed to the country and the people. 

On the occasion, senior journalist Harihar Birahi, also former President of the FNJ, rued 'the attempts' to restrict press freedom through various laws despite the constitution guaranteeing full press freedom. He urged media-persons to play their part in tacking challenges fell on journalism lately. Similarly, former FNJ President Shiva Gaule asked media-persons to work for the people despite challenges. 

The sitting FNJ President Gobinda Acharya said the protest would continue until the laws that control press freedom are amended. 

On the occasion, journalist Kumbha Raj Rai was awarded 'the Rural Excellent Journalist Award'. Established by the NEAJA, the award, which is given every two years to a journalist contribution to the development of rural area through journalism, carries a purse of Rs 222,222. Rai is associated with Kantipur Daily. 
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