Journalism key to bolster relations among SAARC countries: Minister Gurung

Kathmandu, Nov 24: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung acknowledged the vital role of journalism in furthering ties among the SAARC countries.

At an award handover ceremony organized by the SAARC Journalists Association in Kathmandu on Sunday, Minister Gurung highlighted the significant role of journalists in promoting freedom of speech, protecting human rights, and fostering cross-border relations in the region.

The minister lauded the notable contributions of the Association for advancing journalism in the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) region. Similarly, Press Council Nepal’s President Bal Krishna Basnet argued that the common issue related to journalism across South Asian countries at present was how to regulate and streamline social media.

“Towards this, the SAARC countries’ journalists should hold deliberation on this and draw common conclusions with workable solutions,” he stressed. Likewise, the Association’s Chairperson, Dr. Natraj Ray, shared that the Association was working towards establishing itself as a common platform for journalists across the SAARC countries for knowledge sharing.

The association comprising journalists and media houses from Nepal, India, and Bangladesh was also on its way to include the remaining five SAARC member countries, informed Chairperson Ray. On the occasion, Minister Gurung awarded several journalists from SAARC countries, including Temba Sherpa from Nepal, Nahid Hossain from Bangladesh, and Amit Halder from India.

They were feted in recognition of their outstanding journalistic contributions in the SAARC region as well as for fostering regional cooperation through their journalistic works. —RSS