1. Gopal Das Shrestha (1930–1998) –

A prominent journalist of Nepal, Shrestha created the history of English journalism in Nepal. He published and edited the first English daily newspaper The Commoner since 15 July 1956 from Kathmandu. He was an influential intellectual, a remarkably compelling writer, and a creative thinker. In 1999, the Press Council of Nepal created a journalism award in honor of Shrestha, the “Gopal Das Journalism Award” for his contribution to the development of journalism in Nepal since 1951. In September 23, 2003, Nepal’s Postal Services Department issued a commemorative postage stamp bearing a picture of Shrestha.This was the first time in Nepal that a postage stamp was issued to commemorate a journalist.

 

 

 

 

2. Bharat Dutta Koirala – The winner of the 2002 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts, Koirala is one of the most prominent senior journalists of Nepal with a professional career of over four decades. He started his career in journalism as the chief reporter of The Rising Nepal in 1965 and became the editor of Gorkhapatra and executive chairman and general manager of Gorkhapatra Corporation. Apart from NPI, he is the founder of Nepal Forum for Environmental Journalist, Media Services International, and Radio Sagarmatha, the first independent private FM radio station. Awarded the Knight International Press Fellowship Award by the International Center for Journalists in Washington, D.C., he also pioneered development journalism in Nepal.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Gokul Prasad Pokharel – Senior Nepali journalist, Pokharel has served as the chief editor of Gorkhapatra national daily, associate editor of The Rising Nepal, and the chief editor of National News Agency, among many senior level positions held in his career in journalism spanning over 40 years. He has been a member of the National Human Rights Commission, member of Social Services National Coordination Council, founder of Nepal Science Writers Association, and board member of Royal Nepal Academy of Sciences and Technology, among others. He received his university degrees and journalism certificates from Nepal, India, the UK, and France.

 

 

 

4. Parshuram Kharel – One of the most respected media educators of Nepal, Kharel (familiar to many as P. Kharel), is Nepal’s first professor of journalism. has served as the editor of The Rising Nepal. He was media advisor for the Asia-Pacific regional media project of the Freidrich-Ebert-Stiftung, a German INGO (1996-2004). Concurrently, he taught journalism and mass communication at various institutes and campuses since 1980. He is with the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tribhuvan University. He has written 15 books on media issues, about 2,500 articles, mostly in English, for more than dozen publications in a career spanning 40 years.

5. Dhrubahari Adhikari – 

A prominent name in Nepalese journalism, Adhikary has worked as correspondent, news chief, and editor for various national and international media organizations. He was news chief for Gorkhapatra about 20 years back, and became an editor-in-chief for BBC World Trust several years later. He has an Honors Diploma from the London School of Journalism. He was a Dag Hammarskjold Fellow for the United Nations in 1981. He also did a ‘Training for Media Trainers’ course in Berlin, Germany. Adhikary has been in the media field since 1979. He has reported for BBC, The New York Times, TIME, Reuters, Yomiuri Shimbun, Inter Press Service, Deutsche Welle, Asia Times Online and has also contributed articles for The Independent (of London), South China Morning Post, Dawn and Los Angeles Times. He is one of the most sought after political commentators of present day Nepal.

6. Shova Gautam – A noted media educator and human rights defender, Gautam is the founder of Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal (IHRICON), one of the most credited human rights organization of Nepal. She has significantly and untiringly contributed to the movement for gender equality and ethical communication in the country.