Patrakarita Dot Khoj
Author: Kapil Kafle
Published by: Motherland of Nepal
Editor: Dhruba Hari Adhikari
Price: Rs. 250
Pages: 388

BOOK

On Journalism

Journalist Kapil Kafle’s new book highlights different important aspects of journalism

By A CORRESPONDENT

With the restoration of democracy in 1990, media sector has seen unprecedented upsurge. From print media to electronics like radio and Television channel, Nepalese media saw the number of means of mass communications go up significantly. During Panchayat days, media were absolutely under government control. Although there were weekly and daily newspapers run by private sectors, television and radio were under the government. With the introduction of FM stations in the community level, the country’s major areas have their own radio stations. No one had imagined the online media. The situation has changed now and Nepalese have access to all kinds of media now.

The number of education institutions imparting the journalism education has also increased. There were just two institutions before 1990 imparting the journalism education - Tribhuwan University and Nepal Press Institute. Despite increase in the number of education institutions on media and number of students, there are only a few books available in the Nepali language that detail the media development in the country. As most of the journalists working in media sector are Nepalese-speakers, they require books in Nepalese.

Having long experience in journalism of teaching as well as working in different positions, Kapil Kafle, who is currently the editor of Rajdhani Dainik, a broadsheet daily and journalism-trainer at Nepal Press Institute, understands the demands of Nepalese journalists. This book is what he seems to have realized the need for Nepali journalists, students and teachers.

“There are only a few books in journalism written in Nepali language. The contribution of author of this book is remarkable,” writes senior journalist and president of Nepal Press Institute Dhrubahari Adhkari. “This is useful book.”

Unlike other books, journalist Kafle’s book is simple to understand as the author explains the journalistic jargons in simple language. The book includes topics like mass communication, media, journalism, news, newsroom management, online\new media, sound journalism, proactive journalism, feature writing, investigation, Press-Law in Nepal and international practice.

Founder editor of Nepal Samacharpatra, a broadsheet daily, Kafle has encountered a number of challenges in the course of pursuing his journalism career and he has also interacted with a number of newcomers in this profession. The book is a product of both the theoretical as well as practical experiences of journalist Kafle.

From history of journalism in the world to evolution of journalism in Nepal, Kafle has explained stage by stage development and importance of theoretical parts in pursuing journalism. This book is very essential for those who want to join journalism and those who have been in journalism without having any background of learning theories of journalism.

t a time when the country has been passing through a very critical phase with uncertainty of future process of democracy and press freedom, journalist Kafle has produced an important gift to Nepalese journalists and students of journalism. For working journalists and students, Kafle’s book is worth reading.