FNJ UK chapter to provide Rs 2.3 million to assist needy journalists

Kathmandu - (Krishna Prasad Sharma) The UK Chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has decided to contribute Rs 2.3 million to the emergency fund set up by the FNJ to assist the journalists suffering in the COVID-19 pandemic. The Zoom meeting of the UK chapter held here on Saturday took this decision.

Among the amount provided to the fund, Rs 2 million would be deposited to the revolving fund and remaining Rs 300 thousand spent immediately for the relief assistance to the COVID-19 hit journalists. The FNJ central committee has already deposited Rs 3 million in the fund.

The FNJ central committee has aimed at the financial strength with at least Rs 10 million in the fund. The UK chapter of the FNJ made the contribution from the amount collected by holding a charity show in 2017. Meanwhile, the Zoom meeting presided over by chapter Chair Naresh Khapangi took the decision to establish the FNJ UK Journalism Award with cash prize of Pound Sterling 1,000.

The award will be conferred on those involved in Nepali journalism in the UK. Similarly, the meeting approved that chapter General Secretary Sanjay Bhakta Kandel would be sent to represent in the committee the FNJ central office formed on emergency fund operation directive and standard.

At the programme, FNJ Chair Govinda Acharya informed that some 2,000 journalists lost their jobs and more than 750 newspapers and five FM radio closed due to COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. FNJ General Secretary Ramesh Bista informed that the emergency fund was set up to provide humanitarian assistance to the journalists losing employments.