Calls Mount for Special General Assembly to Revitalize Nepal Journalists Federation Amid Leadership Crisis

The Nepal Journalists Federation (NJF) is the umbrella organization for Nepali journalists. It was established with the objective of protecting press freedom and developing clean, professional, responsible, and accountable journalism. The preamble of the Federation's statute clearly sets the goal of organizing Nepali journalists and protecting and promoting their professional rights and labor interests.

Furthermore, the NJF bears the responsibility of safeguarding the right to information, freedom of thought and expression, promoting democratic values, and contributing to the building of a transparent and just society.

• Weak Leadership, Aimless Journey

The current leadership of the NJF has become the weakest and most aimless in its history. Meetings that, according to the statute, should be held every four months have not taken place. Due to disagreements between the President and the Secretary-General, the possibility of future meetings also appears slim.

The NJF's statute mandates the organization and protection of the professional rights and interests of Nepali journalists. However, in practice, the Federation has failed to effectively raise the agendas concerning working journalists.

Working journalists are grappling with issues such as low wages, job insecurity, and lack of social security. The Federation has failed to provide the expected leadership in resolving these problems at a policy level. The responsibility of collective bargaining on behalf of working journalists as a trade union has also not been effectively discharged.

The political foundation of the NJF, which was built on the backdrop of the then governments of the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML), concluded with the embarrassing departure of the Congress-UML government. The leadership seems unaware of what the NJF's issues and agendas should be, let alone championing the specific issues and agendas of journalists.

Although the Federation claims to uphold the universal spirit, principles, and ideals of a free press and promote responsible journalism, this goal appears weak in practice.

In many instances, the Federation is accused of being influenced by a few vested interest groups rather than acting as the common voice of journalists. Many journalists feel that the agendas of owners have been prioritized while the issues of working journalists have been sidelined. For general journalists to feel this way is akin to confronting a shameful period for the Federation.

Organizationally, the Federation's foundation is also weakening. The NJF should provide unified leadership encompassing journalists across the country. However, significant weaknesses have been observed in tasks such as membership management, coordination with branch and provincial structures, and maintaining organizational discipline.

The names of approximately 1500 members whose renewals have lapsed since the previous term are still recorded in the Federation's membership list. The main leadership of the Federation was elected based on the votes of these non-renewed members. Regrettably, the main leadership has been unable to remove these non-renewed members from the list to repay the favor of their votes.

This raises questions about the organization's credibility and the accountability of its leadership. Not only this, but the financial management of the Federation has also become a subject of controversy. Allegations of misuse of the Journalist Welfare Fund, in particular, are frequently raised. However, the main leadership of the Federation remains silent on this matter too.

This raises serious questions about the Federation's transparency and accountability. Another important aspect is the condition of the employees working within the Federation. The inability to pay timely salaries and benefits to its own staff is shameful in itself. When an organization repeatedly raises concerns and protests about journalists/employees in other institutions not receiving salaries and benefits, yet fails to pay its own staff regularly, it weakens the moral foundation of the NJF.

However, the current leadership, affiliated with Congress-UML, remains silent on this issue as well. It is as if this is not a moral question for them.

Similarly, the current leadership has failed to adequately address the spirit of the Gen Z movement and the new situation that emerged after the last election. It is also failing to represent the aspirations and sentiments of the new generation within the organization, especially Gen Z journalists connected to the digital age.

As the field of journalism undergoes rapid transformation due to unprecedented developments in information technology, the distance between the organization and young journalists is growing because the Federation is unable to embrace the energy and perspective of the new generation.

Therefore, the Federation is often accused of acting as the government's 'mouthpiece' rather than an opposition organization. However, an institution tasked with protecting press freedom must maintain a necessary distance from the government. The inability to raise a fearless and clear voice on matters of press freedom has become a serious challenge for the Federation at this time.

The statute clearly assigns the Central Committee the responsibility of protecting press freedom, safeguarding the interests of working journalists, expanding and coordinating the organization, and implementing decisions. However, the feeling is growing within the journalist community that the organizational crisis is deepening because these responsibilities are not being effectively implemented.

Against this backdrop, a structural and leadership review is necessary to re-establish the Federation as a strong and trustworthy institution. The most democratic and legal means to achieve this is to call a Special General Assembly. Through the Special General Assembly, the current state, weaknesses, and challenges of the Federation must be seriously reviewed, and a clear roadmap must be set to move the organization in a new direction.

If necessary, the Special General Assembly can set the date for a new convention and open the path for elections to choose a new leadership. The selection of new leadership is not just a change of individuals; it is about moving towards a change in mindset for organizational and structural restructuring. Without novelty in culture, working style, and priorities, along with new energy and perspective, the Federation cannot advance much towards its objectives in its current state.

Furthermore, this Special General Assembly will provide an opportunity to embrace journalists who align with the spirit of the Gen Z movement and the mandate expressed by the public after Falgun 21 and the ideology it carries. The Federation must not miss this opportunity.

• Why a Special General Assembly?

The Nepal Journalists Federation is not only the common institution of Nepali journalists but also an important pillar of democracy. Therefore, its strength is also necessary for a democratic society. Bold decisions are needed now to make the Federation a reliable institution for working journalists again, establish it as a fearless guardian of press freedom, and create an organization that embraces the new generation.

Therefore, in the current situation, let us call a Special General Assembly of the Federation for a broad review. Taking the step to set the date for a new convention and elect leadership with a fresh mandate through new elections could be the most appropriate and democratic solution. Only through this process will it be possible to move the Federation forward in line with the spirit of its statute.

If there is obstruction at the Special General Assembly, general journalists must focus the debate on opening the path to the new situation. If that does not happen at the Special General Assembly, journalists may have to face the difficult time of forming an organization on a new basis through a national conference of working journalists across the country.

Therefore, I believe that the old leadership with democratic character, leading a democratic organization, will take this as an opportunity to change themselves according to the demands of the time.