Opposition Leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe Calls for Vigilant Press on World Press Freedom Day

Kathmandu. On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the leader of the main opposition party Nepali Congress's federal parliamentary party, Bhishma Raj Angdembe, has wished the press fraternity and called for playing a strong 'watchdog' role against the arbitrary tendencies of the government.

Issuing a message of goodwill on Sunday, he clarified that a free press is an integral pillar of democracy and the Congress is always committed to its protection and respect.

Angdembe recalled that the Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed full press freedom, freedom of thought and expression, the right to communication, and the right to information as fundamental rights. He stated that the Nepali Congress will always keep a watch to secure and make these constitutional rights meaningful. He also expressed high respect for journalists worldwide who have struggled and made courageous contributions to press freedom.

Mentioning that information pollution has become a major challenge in the current technological age, Angdembe said that the responsibility of the journalism sector has increased to save the general public from confusion. He emphasized that journalists should play a special role in creating discerning citizens through truth and quality information. He argued that the press must keep a strict watch on the state's bodies to ensure responsible, accountable, and transparent governance.

Angdembe expressed confidence that the professional press sector will show conscious activism to control the growing arbitrary tendencies in the government and state bodies. Warning that the Congress will strongly resist any kind of control and attack against the press, he pledged his party's full support and solidarity in policy reforms in this sector and in solving the problems faced by journalists.