Government to Link Journalists with Social Security Fund: Secretary Aryal

The government is preparing a policy framework to connect working journalists with the Social Security Fund, according to Radhika Aryal, Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Speaking at an orientation and discussion program held Friday in Morang, Secretary Aryal emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of journalists. She noted that incentives are already being provided to journalists in recognition of their role in promoting public awareness through news dissemination.

The event, organized by the federal ministry, focused on contemporary issues in online media, YouTube content creation, and journalism.

Addressing the gathering, Ajambar Rai, Chief of the District Coordination Committee, urged journalists to amplify public concerns and help resolve grassroots-level problems by raising their voices through the media.

Indra Dev Yadav, Chief District Officer of Morang, stressed the importance of journalism as a mirror of society, underscoring its power to expose truth and present factual reporting.

Highlighting safety concerns, Bharat Khadka, Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Koshi Chapter, along with Sushila Pathak, FNJ Morang Chair, called on the government to take stronger action to protect journalists in their professional roles.

Other speakers at the event raised additional concerns, including the non-payment and delayed payment of salaries by private media houses, the need for strict adherence to the journalist code of conduct, and the importance of impact-driven journalism for driving socioeconomic transformation in Nepal.