Journalists demand official recognition for online media

Journalists affiliated to online media have said that lack of recognition of online media by the state remains as the main hindrance for the development of online journalism in the country.

Speaking at a program organized by Media Services International (MSI) in the capital on Sunday, they said though online journalism had emerged as the fastest and most popular medium globally, Nepali online journalism sector was still struggling for existence.

They further said online journalism in the country remained under threat following the February 1 royal takeover in the absence of official recognition.

They pointed out the need of pressurizing the government to give official recognition to online journalism and provide facilities to online journalists at par with journalists working in other media.

Addressing the interaction, senior journalist and former president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Tara Nath Dahal, urged all journalists working in online journalism to raise their voices strongly to pressurize the state to give recognition to online journalism.

"International media organizations are unaware about the problems being faced by Nepali online journalism sector. So journalists working in online media should raise their voices effectively," Dahal added.

A seven member task force headed by journalist Dinesh Basnet has been formed to study the prospects and challenges of Nepali online journalism. nepalnews.com pb Jan 01 06