Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said the government is committed to press freedom and civil rights. At a programme organized by Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) here Monday, Finance Minister Sharma said, “Current government and ruling coalition stand firm for press freedom.” He also vowed that financial problems faced by media sector in the face of COVID-19 pandemic would be addressed well. According to him, relief could be managed in a way it would prop up small and mid-scale media. “Working class is facing a severe problem at present. They have lost their jobs.

So, solution can be reached after holding broader discussion,” he added. He however pointed out the need of reform in media law and acts along with institutional structure and capacity building. On the occasion, Acting Chair of FNJ, Ramesh Bista, reminded Minister Sharma that journalists were relieved from the post and deprived of remuneration in the name of COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has been an excuse, he said, adding that the laws on media should be friendly to media persons.