Kathmandu, Dec 19: A new executive committee of the Nepal chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) has been formed. IPI is a global network of editors, media executives, and leading journalists who share a common dedication to quality and independent journalism.

A meeting of the Nepal National Committee has unanimously elected a new 9-member executive committee led by Tara Nath Dahal, Editor-In-Chief of the Independent News Service (INS).

Babita Basnet, a senior journalist currently working as editor of Ghatana Ra Bichar weekly, has been elected the Vice President of the committee. Similarly, Siromani Dhungana, Founding Editor of Nepal Live Today, is the General Secretary of the chapter.

The meeting also elected Narayan Prasad Ghimire, Senior Editor of National News Agency (RSS), as secretary and Ramesh Kumar Neupane, News Chief at Himal Khabar Patrika, as a treasurer of the committee.

Senior journalists – Brija Kumar Yadav, Editor of Janakpur Today,  Kuber Chalise, Editor-In-Chief of Clickmandu, Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Senior Editor, of National News Agency, and Mahabir Poudyal, Associate Editor of Nepal Live Today – have been elected as members of executive committee.

In the face of unprecedented challenges before the media sector, deluge of mis- and dis-information, and the government’s ill effort to curb freedom of expression, the IPI Nepal chapter will remain vigilant, and proactive to safeguard professionalism and uphold freedom of expression, said Tara Nath Dahal, chair of the executive committee. “IPI Nepal chapter will engage among diverse journalistic communities in line with IPI’s principles and values.”