Women journalists' absence in editorial level stressed

Kathmandu – The absence of women journalists' representation at the editorial level as compared to high number of male editors became of topic of debate here at a progarmme held on Wednesday. 

During an interaction on 'Women journalists condition in news room' organized by Working Women Journalists (WWJ), participating speakers shed light on prejudice against woman journalists in the media organizations. 

WWJ Chairperson Amika Rajthala noted that woman journalists enjoying equal status with their male counterparts in the media houses were still unable to reach the editorial level. 

She added that the relevance of the 'World Press Freedom Day' – proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993 – remained high in Nepal. 

The World Press Freedom Day is marked to underline the fundamental tenets of journalism and press freedom, evaluation of the press freedom in the world context, violence against journalists in course of reporting, and even the incidents of death in course of reporting. 

WWJ Vice Chairperson and National News Agency (RSS) former General Manager, Nirmala Acharya, said the leadership of a woman journalist in the news room could bring about a structural change, and reforms in services and facilities. 

Acharya said that during her term as the RSS general manager she focused on the woman journalists' progress and physical development of the news agency. She made it clear that woman journalists are not weak in any sense as compared to their male counterparts. 

On the occasion, participating woman journalists spoke of biasness and discrimination during acquisition of permanent job status, promotion and other different opportunities. 
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