An Interview with Narayan Karki (Senior journalist)
8 Review Posted, Article Posted On 19 Dec 2007 www.pokahracity.com
Mr.
Narayan Karki is one of the famous journalists of Pokhara born on 18th
Mangsir 2007 B.S. in Tanahun district. At present he is working as a
reporter in B.B.C. World Service and chief editor in Samadhan Rastriya
Dainik. Recently he was awarded with Himdut Journalism Award 2063.various awards like Pokhara Journalism Prize, Rotary Club of Pokhara, Nepal Kingdom Lions Club, Nepal Press Union, Kaski etc. He has visited India, France, U.K. and Switzerland. He has been a source of inspiration to many people. Here I have presented the excerpt of the interview with him. Pokharacity : How did you enter into Journalism?
I started my journey in Journalism from 2029 B.S. through service from Rastriya Samachar Samiti. I studied in Kathmandu and after completion of my Bachelor's level, I started doing job. During that time, I had cultivated the habit of reading newspaper and magazines in library. It attracted me towards news and article writing. At the same time some zonal news reporter were demanded for RSS and I dropped my application. Luckily I was selected and they provided me training for a couple of week.
Pokharacity : If you were not a journalist, what other profession you would have adopted?
In my family background most of my brothers are in military service holding higher position, therefore most probably I would have also entered into military service if I were not a journalist. Or if not I would have been a government employer in civil service.
Pokharacity :You have been working as a journalist for more than three decades and still continuing it. So what is your experience in this field from the beginning till now?
I worked in Rastriya Samachar Samiti for twenty years. I resigned from my job as regional head and moved into private sector and still working on it. Thus I have lot of experience during this long period. When I was working in RSS there were not much newspapers and magazines as we can find now.
Pokharacity : Being involved in Journalism since long time, what have you earned more fame or money?
If we work honestly in this field then we don't earn much but nowadays some people are earning money through yellow journalism which is wrong. In my case I have earned fame than money as people know me from Mechi to Mahakali and that gives me satisfaction in my profession.
Pokharacity : So are you satisfied in this profession?
People should learn to be satisfied. We should not make false imitation and run after money all the time. We should know our limitation. We should patiently continue to work and after the long service, people will definitely remember you, recognize and praise your work and value your hard work.
Pokharacity : Would you please share your any one unforgettable experience in this field?
Yes, I have experienced such unforgetable moment at the beginning of my profession. When I joined newly in RSS, there were other new reporters as well. We all were asked to select a place where we would like to work. I had chosen Pokhara as I am from Gandaki zone but interestingly none of us were send to our chosen place and it was interchanged to everyone. I was send to Jhapa instead. Then I went to Jhapa initiating my profession from there. I had collected different difficult experiences at that time when leaders and cadres of Nepal Communist Party were involved in violence like Maoists before Janaandolan II.
Pokharacity : So the event in Jhapa which you are talking about was it an offensive one or political?
The events which took place in Jhapa, actually it was political rather than being offensive one. Like Maoists' violent conflict of 10 years , Indian Communist Party also at that time whenever conducted any such political program or murder case happen in Naksalgadhi in West Bengal, they would come to Jhapa for refuge. During the period they met with communist leaders of Nepal and suggested them to initiate people's movement and conduct political programmes so that we can work together and move it ahead. Thus Mohan Chandra Adhikari, C.P.Mainali, Radhakrishna Mainali, Khadka Oli and other leaders took the leadership and initiated the movement accordingly but it occupied very less area and was limited only to Jhapa. It was completely political.
Pokharacity : Where the journalist being threatened at those days while you were working in Jhapa ?
Yes, I want to share my own experience of Chandragadhi in Jhapa. In a VDC near Chandragadhi, a vice-chairman was killed and the messenger of the event who used to come through my residence area informed me about the murder. At that time there was no facility of telephone and had to walk long distances and give information. I asked the man to wait for a couple of hour and then I reached the place as fast as I could. I took the snap and collected necessary information. As I could not send the photo to RSS so I gave for a popular local newspaper 'NayaSandesh'. Next day when the photo was published, there was hot discussion everywhere and I was suspected for it. Fortunately the police officer of the area was my friend and informed me earlier and suggested not to keep any photos of mine. I had to tear all my photos which I had in my room. In those days when journalist would write against the local elite, crime syndicate etc were threatened and murdered too. So there is never unconstrained environment for journalist even now when we all are talking about 'Loktantra'.
Pokharacity : In this present context what is your perception towards journalism?
The history of journalism in Nepal is not long. But the private sector has taken a big leap and now we have numerous and advanced alternatives in communication sector. Journalism by such means has flourished in very short period of time. We can send photos and news immediately at any time in any corner of the world. The days have changed completely when we use to send news through postal service at the beginning of my profession.
Pokharacity :In our country, the commercial journalism has not flourished much in comparison to other parts of the world. What do you think the reasons might be?
The working journalists in our country have hand to mouth condition. They do not have security not only of their physical body but of the job too. They are not well paid accordingly to their labour even after this long period. The other thing is that there is not enough training for journalists and are not able to use all means of communication for their professional improvement. Therefore for the security of job, life and their advancement the government and concerned agencies should put their attention.
Pokharacity :So what should be done then for commercialization of journalism?
Journalist themselves should have theoretical as well as practical knowledge of Journalism. He/She should be capable in education as well as in profession so that the person don't have to be confined only in his own native land but can look opportunities outside the place too. In whatever sector or language he/she wants should have good command over it? If a journalist is able them he/she can move well ahead in commercial journalism. And other side the government too should implement its laws and act made for working people. The media house too should provide at least minimum salary and facilities and provide security to the job then only working journalist can step forward for betterment. And there is also the need of specialization in Journalism too.
Pokharacity :How was the condition of Journalism between 2029 and 2046 B.S. before Multiparty Democracy was adopted by Nepalese government and what is in the present time?
In private sector of journalism, there was a mission journalism during 2029 to write and advocate against tyrannical rule of panchayat system and gradually make it weaker. It was contemporary need of that time. We can find mission journalism even now. Now after 2046 B.S. the mission is to strengthen the democracy and peace in the country. In this recent year we all are talking about republican state and our mission is to dethrone the king. Thus the objective of journalism has become more broad in present condition.
Pokharacity :Though many acts has been made by the government, still kidnapping and murdering of journalist has not stopped yet. We can take example of journalist Birendra Shah. What is your view regarding this?
The challenges for journalists never end and it changes with time. The journalist should not write only of political condition and issues but should write to raise the voice of backward and exploited people which is against bad people in the society. During that he/she might earn many rivals too. Thus challenges for journalist will remain even after establishing federal republic system in our country. The journalist should be criticizing the government political parties too for their wrong doings.
Pokharacity :Yellow Journalism is also heard nowadays and it is increasing as well. Could you please tell something about it?
Every journalist do not have pure and sincere heart. There are good as well as bad people in the society. Yellow Journalism is the negative side of Journalism. Real journalist and everyone should discourage such bad sector of the society. Some journalists take it as their weapon to earn money through wrong mean and it is a growing problem in our society. If the press freedom is strengthen and journalist can work freely then I think slowly the problem can be solved. It was more prevalent in Panchayat system. Journalist themselves should be aware, conscious and discourage such nuisance activities and create environment to encourage a capable honest and good journalist.
Pokharacity :At the end what message you would like to convey for the young people who want to join or have joined already in this profession?
Journalism now is not in the state of previous time as we had worked in the beginning. But now there are lots of opportunities for new comers and who have newly joined. I would suggest them to gain theoretical knowledge before joining this profession. And this is not enough; it should be applied in practice too. You learn but if you are not able to write a single sentence properly, you cannot become a journalist. To achieve something in life we need to increase our capacity. There are many means in journalism now like radio, online internet, press etc. Whichever means you want to adopt, get good knowledge of it first. by : Leena Gurung
this is really a good interview of a successful journalist. I liked it very much and I hopre that this will be a very much inspiring for the young people who are in the time of findig new career which is challenging and romantic. journalism may be their choice. i found mr. narayan karki very much influential in the field of the journalism.
naran dai congratulation! hami sangsangai media chhetra ma kam gareko bhayepani tapai ko bare ma teti dherai kura mali thaha theyena tara yo interview bata tapailai ajhai badhi chinne mauka paye. sanchar jagad ma aune naya pidhi ko lagi tapai ek jolanta udharran banera sada afno sthan ma atal rahanu hola bhanne suvakamana. bhai chandra p grg. sydney
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Mr.
Narayan Karki is one of the famous journalists of Pokhara born on 18th
Mangsir 2007 B.S. in Tanahun district. At present he is working as a
reporter in B.B.C. World Service and chief editor in Samadhan Rastriya
Dainik. Recently he was awarded with Himdut Journalism Award 2063.various awards like Pokhara Journalism Prize, Rotary Club of Pokhara, Nepal Kingdom Lions Club, Nepal Press Union, Kaski etc. He has visited India, France, U.K. and Switzerland. He has been a source of inspiration to many people. Here I have presented the excerpt of the interview with him.
