KATHMANDU, President Ram Chandra Paudel has emphasized that the press has played a pivotal role in Nepal’s political, social, and cultural transformations.

Speaking at a program organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to mark National Journalism Day, he stated that journalism is not only a catalyst for change but also a powerful and essential tool for nation-building.

“Democracy cannot be imagined without journalism, as free, impartial, and independent journalism is a foundation of democracy,” the President said.

Highlighting the constitutional guarantee of press freedom and freedom of expression, President Paudel stressed that it is the state’s responsibility to create an environment where journalists can work independently and without fear.

He also noted that journalists have an obligation to deliver factual, truthful news and to keep the public informed.

He expressed concern about threats to journalists’ safety, stating that the culture of insecurity faced by media professionals must end. He called for collective efforts to ensure a secure and risk-free environment for news reporting and dissemination.

President Paudel also expressed hope that the Nepali press would play an even stronger role in advancing the federal democratic republic and meeting public aspirations for good governance, development, and economic progress.