By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, May 6: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said on Tuesday that freedom of press and expression were the oxygen to social life.
In a message on the occasion of the Fifth National Journalism Day, he said that the mass media had played a memorable role in the democratic movements.
“The government is with journalists in the protection of their professional rights and freedom. We have a firm faith in and commitment to press freedom,” he said. “I believe that press freedom is a respect to the fundamental rights of people to get true, accurate and credible information.” He said that the government had given priority to press freedom, democracy, protection of nationalism, social justice and equality.
Meanwhile, in his message issued on the occasion, Minister for Finance and Communication and Information Technology Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada said that truth-based, impartial and credible journalism would enhance the dignity of the profession.
“I expect that this special day will encourage all journalists and the mass media to take their professional responsibility through continuous information and analysis acknowledging the fact that information dissemination can make crucial contribution to the task of nation building,” Minister Khatiwada said.
He further hoped that the effort of journalism and mass media would continue to underscore the role of the fourth estate of the country.
National Journalism Day is marked on Baisakh 24 to commemorate the publication of the Gorkhapatra for the first time.