Nepal Commemorates National Journalism Day; Senior Journalists to be Honored

Nepal is observing National Journalism Day today with a series of nationwide programs aimed at promoting the development, social accountability, and professional security of the country’s media sector. The date marks the historic anniversary of the first publication of Gorkhapatra, the nation's oldest state owned newspaper, which debuted as a weekly on Baisakh 24, 1958 BS (May 1901).

Since its formal establishment by the Government of Nepal in 2016 (2073 BS), the day has served as a cornerstone for evaluating the progress of the press. To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is hosting a high level ceremony at the Office of the President. During the event, the prestigious National Journalism Prize and Senior Journalism Award will be conferred upon distinguished professionals for their contributions to the field.

In a display of institutional support, Nepal’s top leadership has extended official messages of best wishes to the media fraternity. Statements were issued by President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice President Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, and Prime Minister Balendra Shah. Joining them in highlighting the media's role in a federal republic were Speaker of the House of Representatives Dol Prasad Aryal, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal, and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr. Bikram Timilsina.