UN Organized Workshop in Nepal Stresses Importance of Independent Media
18-11-2003 ()
Durbar Square at Bhaktapur, Nepal
© Fernando Ainsa, UNESCO
A workshop on the rights of journalists from a Nepalese perspective was organized by UN Information Centre (UNIC) and the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) on Friday, 14 November 2003 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The participants of the workshop consisted of Government officials, human right activists, lawyers, journalists and UN staff.
The workshop, another event in the preparation of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) was also intended to provide a country case perspective on the rights of journalists on which a detailed report shall be submitted to the UN Department of Public Information (UNDPI) in New York.
Chairing the inaugural session, Harihar Birahi, President of Nepal Press Council said that the press world should always move ahead for the sake of peace and human rights, and no quarters should discourage the press. Matthew Kahane, the UN Resident Co-ordinator and Director, UNIC and Taranath Dahal, President, Federation of Nepalese Journalists addressed the session. Both Bihari and Dahal commended UNESCO’s contribution in the area of communication.
During his inaugural address, Kahane mentioned that the relevance of the workshop was all the more evident after the recent visit of the three United Nations human rights experts to Nepal, whereby they were deeply concerned by the reports that dozens of people are being secretly detained. He further mentioned that the workshop was also timely considering the fact that the Nepal Law Reform Commission has presented a draft bill on the Right to Information to His Majesty’s Government in October 2003. Another reason for the significance of the workshop was that it was taking place just days ahead of WSIS.
Kahane stressed that the UN agencies, funds and programmes in Nepal try to “hear the people” by working with a range of institutions at national and local levels to improve the lives of individual children, women and men in ways which are felt immediately. The institutions include the ministries of His Majesty’s Government, the Judiciary, the National Human Rights Commission, and organizations concerned. He added that the UN agencies work with Media, because free, independent, professional and analytical media are essential for disseminating news and information, and ensuring transparency in public affairs.
Chairing the inaugural session, Harihar Birahi, President of Nepal Press Council said that the press world should always move ahead for the sake of peace and human rights, and no quarters should discourage the press. Matthew Kahane, the UN Resident Co-ordinator and Director, UNIC and Taranath Dahal, President, Federation of Nepalese Journalists addressed the session. Both Bihari and Dahal commended UNESCO’s contribution in the area of communication.
During his inaugural address, Kahane mentioned that the relevance of the workshop was all the more evident after the recent visit of the three United Nations human rights experts to Nepal, whereby they were deeply concerned by the reports that dozens of people are being secretly detained. He further mentioned that the workshop was also timely considering the fact that the Nepal Law Reform Commission has presented a draft bill on the Right to Information to His Majesty’s Government in October 2003. Another reason for the significance of the workshop was that it was taking place just days ahead of WSIS.
Kahane stressed that the UN agencies, funds and programmes in Nepal try to “hear the people” by working with a range of institutions at national and local levels to improve the lives of individual children, women and men in ways which are felt immediately. The institutions include the ministries of His Majesty’s Government, the Judiciary, the National Human Rights Commission, and organizations concerned. He added that the UN agencies work with Media, because free, independent, professional and analytical media are essential for disseminating news and information, and ensuring transparency in public affairs.
Related themes/countries
· News Archives 2003
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2003
· Nepal: News Archive 2003
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- UNESCO Kathmandu
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