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United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has said that without freedom of the press, there are no real democratic societies. Without freedom of the press, there is no freedom, he said.

In his message on World Press Freedom Day, the UN chief said that the threats to the freedom of journalists and media workers are growing by the day.

 From global health to the climate crisis, corruption, and human rights abuses, they face increased politicization of their work and attempts to silence them from many sides, the UN chief said. He further added that digital technology has democratized access to information. But it has also created serious challenges.

The business models of many social media platforms are based not on increasing access to accurate reporting, but on increasing engagement – which often means provoking outrage and spreading lies, he said.

The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) was named on Tuesday as the winner of this year‘s UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, following the international jury‘s recommendation.

The BAJ was formed in 1995 as a non-governmental association of media workers with the objective of promoting freedom of expression and indepenent journalism in Belarus.

It brings together over 1,300 associated journalists, and is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ).

Since the disputed presidential election in Belarus in August 2020, which drew millions onto the streets in protest during the ensuing months, basic human rights have been in the crosshairs.

In March this year, the UN human rights office produced a Human Rights Council-mandated report on the situation in the European nation, which said the Government’s continuing crackdown had violated the rights of hundreds of thousands.

“The examination not only lays bare the violations inflicted on people trying to exercise their fundamental human rights, but highlights the inability of victims to access justice”, said UN rights chief, Michelle Bachelet.

In August 2021, following a police raid on the office of the BAJ, the Supreme Court of Belarus ordered the dissolution of the organization, at the request of the country’s Ministry of Justice.

“By awarding the prize to the BAJ, we are standing by all journalists around the world who criticize, oppose and expose authoritarian politicians and regimes, by transmitting truthful information and promoting freedom of expression”, said Alfred Lela, Chair of the Prize‘s international jury, and founder and director of an Albanian media organization.

“Today we salute and praise them; we find a way to say: we are with you, and we value your courage”.

The head of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, noted that for 25 years, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize “has been calling the world’s attention to the bravery of journalists around the world who sacrifice so much in the pursuit of truth and accountability.

“Once again, we are inspired by their example and reminded of the importance of ensuring the right of journalists everywhere to report freely and safely. 

The government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest festival of the Muslim community.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notice informing about the government's decision to declare public holiday tomorrow.
 

The Election Commission (EC) has banned the political parties and candidates from hanging banners and pasting posters for the local level elections slated for May 13.

“This is against the election code of conduct. The Commission directs the political parties and candidates to remove such banners and posters as soon as possible,” EC Assistant Spokesperson Surya Prasad Aryal said. 

He said that the political parties or candidates found hanging banners and pasting posters will be fined Rs 100, 000.

“The political parties and candidates will be fined Rs 100, 000 if they violate the election code of conduct and do not remove such banners and posters at the earliest,” he said.

Nepal reported nine new Covid-19 cases on Monday.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 3, 333 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which eight returned positive. Likewise, 922 people underwent antigen tests, of which one was tested positive.

The Ministry said that no one died of the virus in the last 24 hours. The Ministry said that 18 infected people recovered from the disease.

As of today, there are 221 active cases in the country.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 48. 73 points to close at 2,307.44 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 8. 45 points to close at 441. 79 points.

A total of 3,978,079 units of the shares of 228 companies were traded for Rs 1. 42 billion.

Meanwhile, Jalpa Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 99 percent. 

At the end of the day, the total market capitalisation stood at Rs 3. 28 trillion.

Additional Inspector General of Police Bishwo Raj Pokharel on Monday filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court against the decision of the government to appoint AIG Dhiraj Pratap Singh as the Inspector General of Nepal Police.

In the petition, Pokharel said that the government appointed Singh as the chief of Nepal Police by flouting the seniority basis and demanded that the decision to scrapped at the earliest.

Assistant spokesperson at the Supreme Court Devendra Dhakal confirmed that AIG Pokharel has filed a writ petition at the apex court.

A Cabinet meeting held on Sunday had decided to appoint Singh as the Inspector General of Nepal Police.

Newly appointed Nepal Police Chief was conferred insignia on Monday morning.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 8, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

With the price drop, the yellow bullion is being traded at Rs 98, 200 per tola today.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the yellow metal was traded at Rs 99, 000 per tola on Sunday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 97, 700 per tola today.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1, 290 per tola.

The tejabi gold was traded at Rs 98, 500 on Sunday.