Journalists KC, Silwal bag ‘Hem-Sunil Risky Television Journalism Award-2080’

Kathmandu- The ‘Hem-Sunil Risky Television Journalism Award-2080’ has been awarded to journalists Mahesh KC and Shiva Silwal.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma handed the award to the recipients at a programme organised here today by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Nepal Television Chapter. KC of Rukum East is affiliated with Kantipur Television, and Lamsal of Dhading works for Nepal Television. On the occasion, congratulating the honoured journalists, the minister said journalists have to work amidst challenges, and as a result, it was difficult to connect work with information technology.

Stressing the need for the State-owned media to become the voice of the people, she informed that the government was making various laws related to communications to make journalism effective. There was a need to make Nepal Television competitive and excellent in terms of performance and for that the government was committed, the minister said.

Chairperson of Nepal Television Samir Jung Shah stressed the need for journalists to take the risks in Nepali journalism as opportunities. Likewise, NTV general manager Phulman Bal pointed out that occupational and technical risks were increasing and NTV was trying to move ahead accordingly. The FNJ President Bipul Pokharel said it was essential to create required laws and mechanism for safe journalism.

The award recipient KC said there was a problem in accessing information technology for the journalists from remote areas, while urging concerned authorities to create an environment conducive for it. The award had encouraged him to work more efficiently, he added. The best of 20 journalists who applied for the award were selected, informed Dil Bhushan Pathak, a member of the awardees selection committee.

Journalist Hem Bhandari and camera person Sunil Singh died in a helicopter crash in Dhunsa of Taplejung district on 23 September, 2006. In their memory, the Nepal Television Chapter, the FNJ, set up an award worth Rs 5,000 in 2064 BS. The prize amount has been fixed at Rs 100,000 from this year.

On the occasion, Chairperson of the Nepal Television Employees Association Gopal Dahal and Chairperson of the Nepal Television Employees Union Bhoj Bahadur Bishwokarma congratulated the honoured persons. Former presidents of the Nepal Television Chapter, the FNJ Rameshwor Shukla, Pradip Subedi and Purushottam Ghimire were also honoured on the occasion.

For the award, a revolving fund has been established, and Rs 2 million has been deposited in the fund so far, said Dipak Jung Hamal, chairperson of the Nepal Television Chapter, the FNJ. He also congratulated the honoured persons.