A section of media persons have reiterated their demand for minimum wages and other rights to a Nepali journalists’ forum.

The Federation of Nepali journalists (FNJ) on Tuesday held discussions with the office-bearers of its Valley-based associate chapters about contemporary issues concerning journalists in their respective media houses.

During the discussions held at the FNJ central office at Media Village, Tilganga, Kathmandu, the participants shared various issues/problems/challenges facing working journalists with the FNJ central office-bearers.

Some of the participants expressed their concerns that till how long working journalists had to fight for getting minimum wages and other rights. They urged the FNJ, an umbrella organisation of journalists, to advocate for other minimum facilities ensured by the International Labour Organisation for working journalists as well. The basic remuneration set for a full time working journalist is Rs 19,500.

One of the woman participants while sharing her personal accounts as a media worker at a capital-based media house said female journalists had been subject to gender discrimination for long. “Their physical appearance has been made the topic of comments in a news room,” she said.

The FNJ was requested to give its membership to those who really deserve it and highly discourage the culture of non- journalists acquiring it on the basis of their personal connection.

FNJ Vice President Dilip Thapa Magar, General Secretary Ramesh Bista and Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal were among those present in the meeting on behalf of the FNJ central office.