Legislation on working journalists being finalised

Lawmakers are finalising the Bill on Working Journalists with the aim of passing it on August 8.

A task force headed by MP Raghuji Pant, which was formed to incorporate suggestions by various quarters in the bill, presented its report at the parliamentary Environment and Communication Committee on Saturday.

The government has been given a few days to study the report.

In the report presented by the task force, there is a proposal to allow the media houses to appoint up to 15 percent of journalists on contract. Journalist fraternity, on the other hand, has been saying that there should not be provision allowing appointment on contract basis. They have said that if such provision is necessary, it should not be allowed to exceed 5 percent.

The proposed bill has various provisions aimed at enhancing the professional security and growth of working journalists. nepalnews.com Aug 05 07