The Federation of Nepali Journalists has demanded that the anti-press freedom provisions in the 'Printing Press and Publication (Second Amendment) Regulations' be corrected.

On Tuesday, a team including Federation President Nirmala Sharma submitted a 9-point letter of attention to Communications Minister Jagdish Kharel, demanding immediate correction of the anti-press freedom provisions in the regulations. The letter to Minister Kharel states, 'The Federation demands immediate correction of the anti-press freedom provisions in the recently issued government-related printing and publishing (second amendment) regulations.'

Federation General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal said that the government has warned that it will launch an agitation if the anti-press freedom provisions in the regulations are not immediately corrected.

These are the 9 points of attention drawn to the letter of attention

1. Policies and laws related to the media sector are in the process of being formulated. In this regard, we have felt in the past that the state is not willing to show its democratic character by discussing with stakeholders including the Federation. Along with this, in the current situation where the people's elected House of Representatives has been dissolved, there is a suspicion that the interim government will introduce a far-reaching policy that will affect the media sector. Therefore, the Federation urges us to proceed only after reaching an understanding with the stakeholders, including the Federation, in cases where an urgent policy needs to be formulated, and not to rush into formulating policies that will have long-term effects.

The Federation is always aware that there should be no legal provisions that are contrary to international standards of freedom of the press and expression, our constitutional provisions, and practices. In addition, the Federation demands that the anti-press freedom provisions in the recently issued Government Regulations on Printing Presses and Publications (Second Amendment) be immediately corrected. The Federation's suggestions in this regard are attached.

2. In recent times, attacks on media houses and journalists by state and non-state actors have increased. There has been an increase in arson, vandalism, and mob violence against media houses, and threats and attacks on journalists.

Therefore, we would like to draw attention to the fact that the security of media houses and journalists has become an important issue at present and Respecting the freedom of the press and expression, it is requested to arrange for proper relief and compensation for the media houses whose buildings were set on fire and vandalized by various parties and for the journalists who were injured due to gunfire fired by the state during the Genji movement and for other reasons.

The Federation strongly demands to arrange reliable security arrangements for the safety of media houses and journalists. It is demanded that strictest action be taken against those who were involved in attacks on media houses and journalists in the past.

3. Even after three decades of the implementation of the Working Journalists Act, 2051, it is not hidden from the fact that we have to agitate for the services and facilities ensured by the Act and Regulations. We are in a shameful situation where most journalists do not even receive regular remuneration for their work. The government's willpower in this matter is weak. Therefore, the Federation once again draws the attention of the government to establish a separate Press Registrar's Office for the implementation of the Act and Regulations and to appoint a person other than a government employee as the Press Registrar.

The Federation urges the Minimum Wage Determination Committee to be given the responsibility of monitoring and to make it stronger and more effective and to make the wages of working journalists relevant to the times. In addition, the Federation strongly demands that necessary steps be taken to compulsorily affiliate all media houses, except the self-employed, with the Social Security Fund. This work should be initiated from the government media. In addition, attention is drawn to the fact that journalists working as contract and stringers in the government media should not be discriminated against in terms of expensive allowances and other services and facilities.

4. The Federation is of the opinion that the government has not paid sufficient attention to the protection and development of the sector despite being aware of the fact that the media sector of Nepal is going through an economic crisis. It is the responsibility of the state to financially protect all types of media, including the self-employed, and to make them able to deal with the threats that may come to democracy in the future. In this regard, the Federation believes that it would be appropriate for the government to announce a suitable economic package/relief as well as a 50 percent increase in public welfare advertisements.

The Federation strongly demands that the law be amended to allow the Advertisement Board to work according to its objectives and to implement a proportional advertising system. We specifically request that the Board immediately remove the three percent service fee that is being charged as a burden on the media.

In addition, we are once again requested to take necessary initiatives to provide public welfare advertisements to online media.

5. We once again demand the immediate formation of a Mass Media Training Institute to enhance the skills of journalists. We demand that the training on the code of conduct be conducted as a campaign to prevent the distortions and misinformation seen in journalism and that YouTube be organized.

6. The Federation demands that the criteria issued for the implementation of the Journalist Scholarship Fund be immediately revised and that the Federation be represented in the committee formed to operate the fund.

In addition, we inform you that the Federation has serious disagreement with the removal of the provision of mandatory representation of the Federation in various committees, bodies or task forces in the media sector and draw your attention to the policy-level arrangement for representation . 

7. The Federation requests the Government of Nepal to ensure the issues addressed in the budget, provision of free medical treatment for journalists, maintenance and upkeep of the Federation's office building, provision of livelihood for disabled journalists, etc. . The proposal for the implementation of the Federation's operation and capital grant is attached herewith .