'Study on history of Nepali journalism needed'

Experts and veterans have underscored the need of research and study on history of Nepali journalism.

Sharing his review remarks on book titled 'Agra Anuhar, 'Katha Agrajko and Gatha Mahasanghko' published by Corporate Province Committee of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), senior journalist Rama Krishna Regmee said that more research works on the history of journalism could help combat the current challenges and also to explore new paths for future for the media.

Regmee viewed that the book could be a good reference for the history of Nepali journalism. "This book offers information about the challenges and obstacles that appeared while advancing journalism in an organized form in Nepal," according to Regmee.

This book is instrumental to study the history of journalism and move forward the entire journalism as a profession, he added.

Likewise, Chairman of FNJ Bipul Pokharel stated that the book is effortful to dig out the history of journalism as well as of the FNJ while establishing the history and added that the FNJ was effortful to establish the history by being based on facts.

Regarding the book, the Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Journalists (FONIJ) has its reservation. "We are univocal to conclude this through fact-based study and methodological researches. The current FNJ, which was elected under the existing statute, published the book of the former chairpersons recognized by the same statute, Pokharel argued.

"It is true that the organization was established in regard to Satya Narayan Bahadur Shrestha. This is no dispute in it. The Federation is receiving recommendations in establishing prize under his name and provide especial decorations," the FNJ Chairman said.

Shedding light on the history of journalism, FNJ's former President Harihar Birahi highlighted the need of investigative journalism in recent times.

"It appears to me that journalism sector at present is withering due to anomalies and aberrations in the political sectors as well as the problems in the journalism sector, opined Birahi, adding, "However, many hopes have been pinned in journalism sector at present. It is imperative for the stakeholders moving ahead ironing out our errors, pessimism and weakness."

Similarly, another former President of the FNJ, Kishore Nepal emphasized unity and solidarity among journalists for the development of the journalism sector of the country. Suggesting to maintain standards in the journalism for the journalists to be respected, he viewed that enabling environment should be created for journalism sector to thrive rather than defaming it.

Similarly, Minimum Wage Fixation Committee's Chairperson Sangita Khadka, calling for inclusion in the book, suggested that the book should contain experiences and biography of women media persons and those from the indigenous communities.

Calling for facing challenges in journalism sector in unison, she claimed that the Committee was working towards ensuring salary hike for the journalists irrespective of the Committee's limitations of authority and other obstacles.

The FONIJ has been expressing its discontent over the book prepared by incorporating a wide array of issues such as journalists and journalism in Nepal and from Nepal Journalists Association to Federation of Nepalese Journalists.

FONIJ expressed its dissatisfaction on the launch of the book, stating that there was no due credit and mention of FNJ's founder and journalist Satya Narayan Bahadur Shrestha in the book.

FONIJ President Gajurdhan Rai explained, "Journalist Satya Narayan Bahadaur Shrestha established the organization bringing together the journalists in 2008 BS. But the FNJ has only mentioned Krishna Prasad Bhattarai in the book who became its President following Shrestha's presidency. We had submitted an attention letter to the FNJ to review this mater. Attempts have been made to distort the entire country's journalism history in a wrong way."