Kathmandu, Sept 16 – The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has announced fresh programmes aimed at exerting pressure on the government to consider amendments to the legal provisions in the new Civil Code and Criminal Code. The newly introduced codes, intended to reform the country’s legal system, govern the conduct of everybody, rich and poor alike, replacing the 55-year-old Civil Code.
The FNJ claims that various legal provisions in these Codes would trample the press freedom in the country. The umbrella organization of the journalists in the country has announced phase-wise programmes starting from September 26 to November 15.
The FNJ, however, has taken the move of the Ministry of Communications, Information and Technology to form a taskforce to furnish recommendations on the identification of the legal provisions in the new codes hampering press freedom and points to consider amendment.
In the second phase of programme, the FNJ will hold discussions with the taskforce formed by the government and thereafter holding interactions in various media houses and soliciting feedback from the media persons among others, according to a press note issued by the Secretary-General of FNJ, Ramesh Bista.
The Federation would also hold interactions in all districts, provinces and associates to pile pressure on the government for the amendment in the legal provisions.
Likewise, the Federation has urged all the working journalists, civil society leaders and press freedom crusaders to help make the pressure-piling programmes of FNJ a success.
