Community Radio Pledge (pdf) - amarc

Code of conduct issued by the conferenceof journalists in 1985Editors of 14 daily and weekly newspapers published from Kathmanduhad on July 10, 1985 issued a code of conduct at the end of a conference.The journalists who signed the code of conduct were Mani Raj Upadhayay,Madan Mani Dixit, Manindra Raj Shrestha, Chandra Lal Jha, Gopal Siwakoti,Shakti Lamsal, Indra Kant Mishra, Govind Biyogi, Krishna Sundar Malla,Hiranya Lal Shrestha, Krishna Prasad Siwakoti, Padam Thakurathi andGovind Pradhan.1. Nepali press considers it must have freedom to work and independenceof thought with a view to boost the greater interests of society bycreating enlightened public opinion in the country. While fulfillingone’s primary responsibility of respecting the highest ideals of pressfreedom Nepalese press is committed to the view that it must not comeup with incontinent and explosive expression.2. Nepalese press shall forge ahead in such a manner whereby it maintainspoliteness in language and purity of character while directing itsactivities in voluntary manner which can evolve it as a prestigiousmechanism of society while also ensuring personal dignity and honorof the Nepalese people.3. While Nepalese press which fulfills the basic task of informing societyexpects to be given numerical guarantee apart from security, it shall inno way use the same in attacking societal values, judgment, and whatit considers to be good while also not attacking those who aredefenseless and at the same time shall not use the same to meet extrapressinterest which may be against the universally recognized interestof the press.4. While the Nepalese press reaffirms commitment to uphold the dignityof the Nepalese constitution and governing laws it is equally adamantthat the senseless use of such laws should not be in any way motivatedat harassing the press and intimidating it while it may be doing its dutyof informing the people.5. Nepalese press is alert on the fact that there should be excellent relationbetween press and ruling establishment and press and society and weare equally conscious that this realization should guide the criticismwhich comes from the press. We are of the view that the controversywhich breaks in on and off surrounding press should be used up toboost the consciousness level of society before there is happydialogue.127