FNJ:
Be More Active
WITH the election of
the new central executive committee of the Federation of Nepalese journalists (FNJ) on
Tuesday, Nepalese journalists would now hope that the biggest professional organisation of
journalists in the country becomes more active that it has hitherto been. Granted that FNJ
has in the past sought to highlight different issues faced by journalists in terms of
professionalism, critics have consistently said that FNJ, as the most representative
professional organisation of Nepalese journalists, has not fully lived up to its mandate.
When hundreds of journalists enthusiastically elected the new batch of office-bearers on
Tuesday, they did so with the hope that FNJ does not continue to remain just a mere
organisation that issues occasional press release on this or that issue while lacking
boldness in dealing with matters that affect Nepalese journalists most. If one were to
judge on the merit basis the achievements of the outgoing central executive committee,
entrusted with the responsibility of undertaking various tasks to strengthen Nepalese
journalism, there may not be many things of note. One area where it has failed is in
lobbying for the implementation of the Working Journalists Act passed more than a half
decades ago. The Act was passed with much fanfare and on which much hopes was pinned for
bettering the working conditions Of Nepalese journalists. The Act, past years have shown,
is virtually confined to the paper it was written on. Lobbying for the right to
information Act is another task that has not reached its logical conclusion. FNJ was
involved in drafting a right to information bill with assistance from a media NGO. But
unfortunately the bill has only inched forward to the parliamentary table. Absence of a
right to information act, journalists and media watchers agreed, has not helped
journalists to go after crucial information and present it to the public.
These and other
issues, like ensuring compliance with Code of Conduct, that have a direct bearing on
journalistic performance and duties and responsibilities of the press, have to be taken up
by the elected committee with greater vigour and a sense of dynamism. The conflict
situation obtaining in the country at the present moment with all its implications on
journalistic profession is another factor that the new set of office-bearers will have to
consider seriously. It has to effectively meet the challenge of promoting responsible
journalism and ensuring journalists’ access to information. The fact that several of
the new office-bearers also served in the past committee should mean that the new
committee is not unaware of these issues consistently highlighted by the working
journalists. Let’s hope the future will see FNJ much more active in lobbying for and
advocating changes that would make Nepalese journalism a dynamic force and a true bearers
of the flag of the Fourth Estate. We wish it success in its endeavours.
Other Story
|
