Kantipur Media Group marked its 27th anniversary at its central office in Thapathali on Wednesday. Every year, the group celebrates its anniversary on Falgun 7, which coincides with the Democracy Day.

Addressing the function, Kailash Sirohiya, chairman and managing director of the group, reflected back on the history of Kantipur, how the organisation was established almost three decades ago from Thapathali after democracy was restored in the country.

“We have been through a lot of upheavals over the years, and the spirit of teamwork has got us thus far,” Sirohiya said.

He also touched upon the subject of the rights to freedom of press and freedom of speech in light of the threatening statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal to the Post and its Editor-in-Chief for publishing a syndicated article on the coronavirus outbreak in China.

“We practise journalism fearlessly and for that, we sometimes get threats from both inside and outside the country. But we are determined to move forward facing all obstructions and challenges thrown on our way to safeguard the rights guaranteed by our constitution,” he said. Noting that Kantipur Media Group has always been on the vanguard of change and progress, Sirohiya said the organisation has been organising various discussion and interaction programmes, such as Kantipur Economic Summit 2020 and the second edition of Kantipur Conclave, by inviting intellectuals and experts from various fields.

“These interactions have helped bring new discourses in our society,” he said.

Sirohiya also thanked the outgoing Editor-in-Chief of the Post Anup Kaphle for transforming the paper.

Kaphle said he was ecstatic to represent a newsroom that not only turned things around in a short time but also established the Post into a newspaper that is doing the best journalism in the country.

“Our job, as journalists, is to tell stories, as fairly and accurately as we can. In doing that we have made countless numbers of people unhappy and uncomfortable. For a genuine journalist, that is a badge of honour,” said Kaphle.

Kantipur Editor-in-Chief Sudheer Sharma spoke about the past and present scenario of journalism in the country and its challenges.

“Recently, we were attacked for the content we published in our newspaper. We have faced such challenges before, overcome them and come out stronger,” said Sharma.

Editor of Nepal Magazine Basanta Basnet, Editor of Saptahik Rajaram Gautam and Assistant General Manager of Kantipur Media Group Mahesh Swar also shared their views on the occasion.

Raj Kumar Poudyal, assistant senior executive design and layout from the Post; Janakraj Sapkota, sub-editor from Kantipur daily; Janak Nepal, senior sub-editor from Nepal magazine; and Mahesh Timalsina from Saptahik were honoured with best employees awards.

Employees from the administration, circulation and other departments were also awarded under various categories.