Report launched with a call for collaboration to promote safety of journalists and gender equality in Nepali media
Kathmandu/July 30: The report titled ‘Media in Nepal: Safety of Journalists, Sustainability and Gender Inclusiveness’ was launched today with calls to expand inter-agency collaboration and consultation to make Nepali media sustainable, professional and accountable.
The report, prepared and published by Media Action Nepal (MAN), was launched electronically amidst a virtual program attended by Lily Thapa, member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); Balkrishna Basnet, Chairperson of the Press Council Nepal (PCN); Ramesh Bista, Acting President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ); Professor Dr. BK Ravi, Chairman of the Department of Communication of Bangalore University, India; Dr. Sadia Jamil, Acting Chairperson of Journalism Research and Education Section, International Association for Media and Communication Research and Dr. Mariam Gersamia, Chairwoman of the Media and Communication Educational and Research Center, Georgia.
Laxman Datt Pant, Chairperson of MAN, presented the highlights of the report which was prepared based on the virtual interactions held in all seven provinces from June 12 to June 27, 2021, and the national-level webinar held on July 9, 2021. He mentioned that the report included insights from the concerned provincial ministries, government bodies, umbrella organizations and working journalists.
Pant said that the points raised in the report were extremely pertinent, especially at a time when the provincial governments are drafting media-related legislation and COVID-19 has brought issues of professional safety and financial security of journalists at the forefront.
Pant said that the points raised in the report were extremely pertinent, especially at a time when the provincial governments are drafting media-related legislation and COVID-19 has brought issues of professional safety and financial security of journalists at the forefront.
Commenting on the report, Dr. Jamil said that the document was extremely important, not just for Nepal but for the whole of South Asia where a significant gap exists between theory and practice. She also urged press unions in Nepal’s neighboring countries to produce such reports and documentations of lived experiences.
Jamil also noted how the meaning of words like journalist safety and professionalism had changed in the post-pandemic world and lack of pay and mental pressures were threatening journalists more than killings or kidnappings.
Dr. Gersamia spoke about the media landscape in Georgia and how journalists there had to contend with systematic pressure from the oligarchs in power. She shared that the journalists in her country were victims of both direct physical violence as well as indirect threats and harassment.
Gersamia remarked that the situation was the same in many young democracies and called for international solidarity and collaboration to ensure journalist safety.
Dr. Ravi talked about the blow COVID-19 had dealt to the Indian media where 40% of all media professionals have lost their jobs and more than 400 have lost their lives. He also noted the common issues of media literacy, infodemic and gender discrimination that plague all the countries of South Asia and said that his university was ready to join hands with Nepali institutions to find a solution.
Basnet speaking on behalf of PCN and Bista on behalf of FNJ took ownership of the report and pledged to implement its recommendations. They also noted the difficult situation Nepali journalists were going through vis-à-vis layoffs and pay cuts and criticised the policies introduced by the various levels of government to curtail and restrict press freedom.
Jamil also noted how the meaning of words like journalist safety and professionalism had changed in the post-pandemic world and lack of pay and mental pressures were threatening journalists more than killings or kidnappings.
Based on her past work with single women, NHRC member Thapa felt that Nepali media lacked gender sensitivity and had a tendency to ignore ethical principles while portraying women, particularly victims of crimes. But she shared that there have been improvements and that the NHRC was working with stakeholders like the FNJ to draft an action plan to promote human rights and gender sensitivity in newsrooms
MAN has stressed that the report is a policy advocacy document that outlines the challenges for the safety of journalists, media sustainability and gender inclusiveness, as presented by media experts, scholars and practitioners, and presents recommendations for the stakeholders to adopt to meet these challenges.
Gersamia remarked that the situation was the same in many young democracies and called for international solidarity and collaboration to ensure journalist safety.
A total of 73 persons representing media, academia, media rights and research institutions from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Georgia, Sri Lanka and UAE attended the launching event moderated by Aashish Mishra, MAN Executive Committee Member.
Full report: ‘Media in Nepal: Safety of Journalists, Sustainability and Gender Inclusiveness’