KATHMANDU, Oct 26: Journalists and other staffers of Nepal Republic Media (NRM) paid tributes to Hemraj Gyawali, a pioneer in professionalizing the Nepali media, on the 13th day of his demise Thursday.
Founding Chairman of Kantipur Publications and the NRM, Gyawali, passed away on October 13 at the age of 79.
Republica chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) organized the meet to pay tribute to him and to express condolence to the bereaved family on Thursday at the NRM head office Bag Durbar.
President Bhandari pays tribute to late NC leader Giri
On the occasion, senior journalists recalled his contribution in institutionalizing Nepal’s media sector as a vibrant industry.
“We should remember late Gyawali not only as a pioneer in professionalizing the media sector but also as a patron who established the practice of running newsroom with editorial freedom,” said Editor-in-chief Gunaraj Luitel of Nagarik daily. “He always trusted journalists and never imposed any decision on editorial team members.”
Luitel said Gyawali never compromised on democratic values and practices.
Also, Ashok Dahal, chairman of the FNJ Republica chapter, shed light on his role in promoting the media in the country. Senior journalists at the event said Gyawali was the one who led the team that established that even private media can sustain as a vibrant industry in Nepal at a time when not a single big investor was putting investment in the sector.
Journalists and staffers at the NRM also observed a moment of silence.
