Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Aug 11, 2026 (BSS) - The third International Indigenous Language Journalism Conference-2026 began in Kathmandu, Nepal on Monday.

Nepal's Law and Justice Minister Sobita Gautam inaugurated the four-day event, while Education and Science Minister Dasmit Pokharel attended as the special guest.

The conference is being held at Rastriya Sabha Griha under the theme "Indigenous Language Journalism for Cultural Diversity, Climate Justice, and Inclusive Democracy", said a press release received here today.

Federation of Nepal Indigenous Journalists (FONIJ) President Lucky Chaudhary presided over the event. Among others, Newar Journalists President Nripendra Lal Shrestha and SAARC Journalist Forum Central Committee Secretary General Md. Abdur Rahman addressed the conference.

A large number of delegates from 26 South Asian countries are participating in the international gathering. On the opening day, participants took part in two technical sessions focusing primarily on indigenous peoples' rights and government policies concerning their communities.

The second session focused on the current state of indigenous language journalism in Nepal.

Participants exchanged views on international experiences, the UN's International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), global challenges and achievements, the role of Nepal's Language Commission and legal frameworks for news media.

A high-profile delegation from Bangladesh is participating in the conference, led by Md. Ziaur Rahman, Special Correspondent of Dainik Aajkal.

Other members of the Bangladesh delegation are Mushtaq Ahmed Mubarki, Editor of Dainik Bongobani; Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Editor of Dainik Bank Bima Economi; Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, Senior Correspondent of Dainik Aajker Provat; Panna Zaman, Executive Editor of Dainik Amar Bangla; Shahnaz Begum, Representative of Channel-S Television Online and Irfan Uddin Iro, Reporter of Asian TV.
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Three faculty members from the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology in Dhaka-Zubair Ahmed, Coordinator of the department; Keya Bose; and Farhad Alam-also joined the conference as part of the Bangladesh delegation.

The day's programme concluded with the screening of a special documentary on the plight of a journalist for remaining honest and uncompromising.

The documentary was produced by Farhad Alam, a lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology. It received widespread appreciation from the audience.