Madhu Shahi of Kantipur Daily was among the recipients of this year’s Women Empowerment Award given out by Press Council Nepal on the occasion of its 46th anniversary on Wednesday.

The Council awarded 33 journalists and four media houses for their exemplary contribution to journalism and literature in Nepal. Veteran journalists like Madanmani Dixit, Pannalal Gupta, Rajeshwor Nepali, Amrita Lamsal and Barbara Adams were honoured in the programme. Kaushal Chemjong Limbu of Udayapur received Gopaldas Journalism Award, which carries a purse of Rs 100,000. Likewise, Radio Nepal won the Code of Conduct Award. Similarly, Kalpana Acharya of Avenues Television received Women Empowerment Award.  Suveksha Bindu and Mala Karna were also awarded.

In the programme, Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha said the court and press are complementary in nature and both must be used for the nation’s benefit. “Media has been the torch bearer of change in the country and has helped in political transformation,” he said. However, he noted that journalism has witnessed a sea change since its inception and urged journalists to adopt self-regulation in this changed context.

Information and Communication Minister Minendra Rijal said freedom of expression cannot be restricted but journalists should be cautious while reporting on sensitive issues given the situation in the country.