Nepalese America Journalists’ Association Holds 4th Annual National Convention in Houston

HOUSTON: The 4th annual general convention of Nepalese America Journalists’ Association (NEAJA) was held in Houston from May 2 to 4. The convention was supported and arranged by the Nepalese Association of Houston (NAH), the umbrella organization of over half- a-dozen Nepalese groups in Houston serving various socio-cultural and economical needs of the local Nepalese community. According to the NAH General Secretary, Dr Rupak Rauniar, “Journalists and their work serves as the greatest example of Freedom of Speech, the first Bill of Right, and it is our pleasure to host this national level convention  in great city of Houston to honor the work and dedication of Nepalese Journalist residing in the USA.” Fair, accurate and timely reporting of news event, and providing a thorough and bias-free perspective on the current events are basic principles of news and media journalist, he added.

The 2 day convention was attended by over 45 delegates from all over the US and Canada. The welcome remark of the convention was given by NAH President Madhukar Amatya and the letter from the Prime Minister of Nepal Honorable Shushil Koirala was read to the participant. Various current topics and issues related to journalism were discussed by some of the senior Nepalese journalists attending the event, such as Aang Chiring Sherpa and Tara Baral whose columns and news reports have been picked by Associated Press (AP) and other popular news agencies on regular basis. “Advances in web-based technologies and social media has brought dramatic changes to the ways how news gets reported and communicated” stressed Bittu KC, who is a Houston based Nepali journalist. She added as reporters, we have to be ahead with the technologies so that the people can receive valuable news and articles in a timely manner.  The convention also discussed the risk of endangering life and imprisonment of news reporter while reporting news from different parts of the world. The committee called upon the attention of all political parties and government to safeguard and protect journalists who are reporting from the ground as event unfold. NEAJA also held its election for the working committee that are appointed for next two years. The inaugural publication of NEAJA, “Prayas” or Attempt was also launched during the meeting.  The convention was acknowledged to be a grand success by the participating journalists and local Nepalese community that had the opportunity to meet and listen to prominent journalists from Nepal.