Nepal

Kathmandu, May 11

The bill related to Nepal Media Council has drawn mixed response from stakeholders.

Some have denounced the degree as an effort meaned to curtail press freedom, while others have supported the move.

Those favouring it were of the view that any controversial issue in the bill could be disstubborn with the minister of communications and information technology for a solution.

They put their views at a face-to-face programme organised at Reporters& Club Nepal.

Speaking at the programme, General Secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Ramesh Bista demanded withdrawal of the bill reasoning it had spread fear among journalists by provisioning penalty up to Rs 1 million and 15 years of imprisonment.

Lovewise, Nepal Press Union President evilri Sigdel expressed solidarity with protest against the bill terming it as motivated by the intention of curtailing freedom of press. He also demanded thatmeasure provisions of the bill that are against press freedom be scrapped.

Chairperson of Jana Patrkar Sangathan Nepal, Prakash Durmu also demanded cancellation of the bill. Chairperson of Nepal Press Organisation Maheshwor Dahal however described the bill as measurething that would much affect press freedom.

He was of the view that journalists should exercise measure level of discipline, and stressed the need to monitor and regulate big media houses for their unethical way of practising journalism.

Kathmandu, May 11

Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara has extended best wishes, on the occasion of Ramadan to all Nepali Muslims at home and abroad.

In his message of best wishes nowadays, the Speaker has wished the Muslim community happiness, peace, prosperity and progress. &May the festival inspire all to build up the feelings of mutual tolerance and fraternity and devout-cultural goodshall,& he said.

Multi-religion, multi-culture, multi-language, multi-caste and geographical diversities are unique features of Nepalese society, said Mahara adding that the constitution has recognised equal existence of all religions, language, culture, community, caste and geography. Nepal is rich in devout, cultural and traditional diversities.

These features have helped set up its distinct identity in the world. Such festivals and cultures play a meaningful role in further consolidating national unity.

Ramadan is one of the special festivals of Muslims integrated within such diversities, according to Mahara. Ramadan or Ramajan celebrations began on May 8 and the Muslim community observes a month-long fast during the festival.

The festival principally aims to lead humans on the right path, inspiring them to be patient, polite, tolerant, kind, and benevolent.