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Male journalists must be stronger allies for their female counterparts by supporting women to take up decision-making roles in newsrooms, said a visiting award-winning Canadian journalist here today. At an event in Kathmandu on how inclusive newsrooms foster stronger reporting in conversation, Associate Professor at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication of Canada, Nana aba Duncan, in conversation with Chair of Media Action Nepal Laxman Datt Pant, said that an inclusive newsroom creates a space that female journalists deserve and provides a level playing field in terms of growth opportunities for women. The event was organized by the High Commission of Canada and Media Action Nepal. “Newsrooms must recognize those who are excluded. And we have to change the way we look at stories,” said Duncan who had hosted several radio programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and is the founder and executive director of Media Girlfriends, a podcast company. While seeking diversity, she said, we must not pigeonhole journalists from marginalised communities. “Recruiting them only to tick boxes, assigning them only the issues to cover from their communities or constantly perceiving and projecting their difference prevents them from speaking up, presenting their perspectives and bringing nuances to discussions.” In her message to a diverse group of journalists representing print, broadcast and online media outlets, Duncan stressed the need for communicating with each other and forming an inclusive community of media persons that nurtures and supports professional growth. Earlier while speaking during an inaugural session of the event, Head of Advocacy Program at the High Commission of Canada, Colin Shonk, said Canada’s commitment to protecting and promoting free and vibrant media is unwavering. "Representation of women in newsrooms is important at both a practical and symbolic level and we are not there yet." Similarly, Media Action Nepal Chair Pant spoke about how things have changed in Nepal's media sector in the recent time, saying that movements like Me Too have led to an increased awareness in the newsroom. "Still today, there are journalists in particular from minority and deprived communities who are unable to come forward and speak up for themselves. It's high time for creating an enabling environment that ensures newsroom representation not just based on gender and number, but also in terms of diverse voices." The two-hour-long event, attended by around 80 journalists and journalism students, remained highly interactive and engaging with many participants asking questions around inclusive newsrooms linking to Nepal's contexts. As her parting shot, Duncan said she felt blessed that the participants felt comfortable enough to share their stories and hoped that they would continue to do so as sharing stories builds empathy.

The Teku-based Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital has started administering the booster dose vaccine against coronavirus from today. Lilanath Bhandari, Emergency In-charge at the Hospital, said that the vaccine will be administered from 10 am to 3 pm. “The booster dose vaccine will be administered from today. We have started administering the booster dose vaccine targeting mainly the people who are going abroad,” he said. Nepal had received an additional booster dose vaccine against the Covid-19 on Monday. Nepal had received 345, 600 doses of vaccine on Monday. Earlier on February 13 and 16, Nepal had received 345, 600 doses of vaccine. Germany will provide 1.5 million doses of vaccine to Nepal. So far, Nepal has received 1, 036, 800 doses of vaccine. Nepal has yet to get 463, 000 doses of vaccine.      

The district prison, Taplejung, is struggling without space to accommodate inmates. The prison is forced to house more than six times more prisoners than its actual capacity. It is housing 155 inmates against its actual capacity of accommodating 25. As a result of a lack of space, it has to send women prisoners to the neighboring Panchthar district prison, said the prison Chief Kulendra Khawas. “We are finding it difficult to manage such a large number of inmates due to lack of space,” he said. The prison is also grappling with a lack of human resources.    

An Armed Police Force Constable has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering an Assistant Sub-Inspector. A single bench of District Judge Nabin Kumar Joshi sentenced APF Police Constable Home Bahadur Khatri (39) to life imprisonment on Monday. He had murdered ASI Satya Narayan Yadav (45) working at the Border Outpost (BOP) of the Armed Police Force in Mohanpur, Chinnamasta Rural Municipality-3. A single bench of District Judge Shyam Bihari Morya on November 8 passed the order to send him to jail. The Court on Monday sentenced the convict to life in prison and slapped a fine of Rs 300,000. The Court also issued the verdict to deposit Rs 200, 000 in the Relief Fund. ASI Yadav of Naraha, Bhagwanpur Rural Municipality-2, Siraha District and Khatri of Khijidemba Rural Municipality-2, Okhaldhunga were stationed at the Border Outpost in Mohanpur, Chinnamasta Rural Municipality-3. During the interrogation, Khatri admitted that he killed Yadav on October 5. Khatri said that he attacked Yadav with a stick on his head under the influence of alcohol. The body was Yadav was found in a river at Jiroga Punarbas in Madhubani district, India. The deceased family members said that others are also involved in the murder. Khatri was nabbed on October 12, a week after the body was recovered.