From the Archives: FNJ Annual Assembly Labels Supreme Court’s News Takedown Order a Threat to Press Freedom

Date: May 5, 2024

The 27th General Convention of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) issues the following declaration in support of the full implementation of the Constitution, the protection of complete press freedom, enforcement of the Working Journalists Act, and the institutional development and advancement of journalism:

1. This convention expresses serious concern over the recent order issued by the Supreme Court regarding published news content. The convention concludes that compelling the removal of published material, restricting republication or rebroadcast, and treating news reporting as a criminal offense are inconsistent with the Constitution. It therefore strongly calls on all three organs of the state—the executive, legislature, and judiciary—to ensure the full protection of constitutionally guaranteed press freedom.

2. The convention announces that elections of the Federation of Nepali Journalists will be held on June 8, 2024, and directs the federation to complete all necessary preparations. It also instructs the FNJ Central Committee to settle and publicly disclose all membership verification matters within April in accordance with the federation’s constitution and the 2022 membership verification standards.

3. The convention directs the federation to ensure that decisions concerning activities, programs, awards, and recognitions are guided by clear procedures and criteria that uphold inclusion, proportional representation, respect for social class, region, gender, language communities, religion, and culture, while preserving the federation’s collective character in practice.

4. The convention strongly urges governments at all three levels to make media-related bills currently under consideration fully media-friendly and consistent with the guarantees of press freedom and freedom of expression. It further calls for refraining from policies or actions that could undermine these freedoms.

5. Taking into account the ongoing dispute regarding the founding president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, the convention instructs the federation to carry out study and research in coordination with the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism and the Department of History at Tribhuvan University, and reach conclusions based on facts and evidence.

6. The convention strongly calls on the government to double the amount allocated for public welfare advertising and to increase and fully implement the minimum wage provisions for working journalists.

7. The convention expresses concern over recent actions by Press Council Nepal in directing media outlets to remove news content beyond its jurisdiction and urges the council to act in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws.

8. Expressing concern that working journalists have gone without salaries and benefits for extended periods, the convention calls on concerned media organizations to provide overdue payments immediately. It also calls for full implementation of the Working Journalists Act and urges closer coordination and institutional mechanisms among media owners, journalists, and the government to seek long-term solutions.

9. Emphasizing the sustainable and reliable development of self-employed media outlets and media operating in various mother tongues with limited investment, the convention calls for the immediate implementation of a proportional advertising system.

10. The convention urges the government to allow print publications that transition into digital platforms to retain continuity and recognition. It also calls for doubling existing support and benefits provided to media organizations operated by conflict survivors, Dalits, persons with disabilities, third-gender communities, and women journalists.

11. Calling for initiatives to protect and promote local and small-investment media institutions, the convention urges the government to implement proportional advertising policies and establish mandatory provisions requiring local advertising to be allocated to local media.

12. The convention calls on the government to convert the existing free accident insurance scheme for working journalists into health insurance and ensure its effective implementation.

13. Recognizing the country’s diversity and pluralism, the convention calls on all media institutions to make their editorial content and organizational structures gender-sensitive, inclusive, disability-friendly, and to create safer workplaces.

14. The convention urges the immediate abolition of impractical and burdensome administrative procedures imposed by government agencies—including Press Council Nepal, the Department of Information and Broadcasting, and the Advertising Board—in matters related to media registration, renewal, regulation, and access to services.

15. The convention calls on all journalists to uphold the code of ethics, practice responsible and dignified journalism, and contribute to social awareness through constructive reporting.

16. The convention urges the government to introduce policies and programs focused on strengthening journalists’ capacities to respond to emerging trends and challenges in journalism and to establish scholarship opportunities for journalists pursuing higher education in journalism.

17. Embracing the guiding principle of “Journalism for the Planet,” the convention calls on all media professionals to contribute through their work toward reducing the impacts of climate change.

18. The convention extends its gratitude to all participants of the opening ceremony of the 27th General Convention of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, including Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Communications and Information Technology Minister Rekha Sharma, representatives of political parties, former presidents of the federation, leaders and representatives of journalist organizations, and all Central Council members from across the country.

Roshan Puri
General Secretary