Put code of conduct in practice: Press Council Chair Basnet

Press Council Nepal Chairman Balkrishna Basnet has said the Council is actively monitoring Nepali journalism and discouraging bad practices.

Speaking at a programme here Friday, he said the complaints about ‘bargaining journalism’ had increased in Nepal of late and the Council was determined to resisting any attempt that violates journalism code of conduct.

In his address to an orientation organised by the Council for online media, he said the Council was alert over rising complaints about the use of a threat for publishing the news after not getting personal interests fulfilled. Combined efforts are essential to deter such trend as it weakens journalism as a whole.

“Some media houses are under the close watch of Council for the alleged violation of media ethics and the Council will reach them for an ‘action’ by garnering evidences,” he said.
The issue is more prominent in online media and YouTube channels, according to him.

Rajdhani daily’s editor Sagar Pandit who gave his presentation on the subject matter said online journalism had posed further challenge in the entire legacy media. Compliance with code of conduct will sort out several problems, he viewed, advising the Council to act more vibrantly to foster professional accountability among the journalists.