Govt to bring media policy dwelling
Posted by somdai a lunatic on Feb 15, 2015 | 0 comments
It was stated at a discussion with key stakeholders on the draft of the media policy at the Ministry of Information and Communications.
On the occasion, various stakeholders have recommended the need of extensive discussion and reforms so as to make the draft relevant and ensure well operation of media sector.
Minister for Information and Communications Dr Minendra Rijal informed that the draft has been outlined in a way to open up avenues for media development and institutionalize achievements of the People's Movements.
The major thrust of the media policy is to ensure easy delivery and outreach of the state-sponsored aids and benefits to media sector and stakeholders, Minister Dr Rijal said.
He pledged that special attention would be placed in the proposed media policy to enable environment for journalists to fully enjoy editorial freedom and freedom of expression.
Informing that the government has outlined the media policy on discussion with broad-based stakeholders given there was no formulation of communication policy in the country following 2049 BS, he said the policy would acknowledge the contribution made by media for political changes, setup of federal democratic republic and inclusive democracy.
"The policy should be brought mainly centering around the promotion of journalists and journalism and institutionalizing federal democratic republic", the Minister noted.
The Mass Communication Policy-2071 BS has set the goal to provide necessary instruments to Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) to use modern technology in collecting, editing and disseminating news and restructure and modernize it as an institution to disseminate domestic news to international arena.
Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Chairperson Dr Mahendra Bista stressed the need that the media policy should be brought in a way to recognize the contribution of Nepali journalists and journalism sector to change.
Press Council Nepal Chairperson Borna Bahadur Karki briefed Council's works to the development and management of journalism sector of Nepal.
During the programme, General Manager of Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) Shreeramsingh Basnet underscored the need for a news agency policy saying that the news agency policy was not drafted till 54 years of news agency operation.
Likewise, former president of FNJ Taranath Dahal asked to give priority to the issue of press freedom as well as keep the journalists and journalism at the centre.
Similarly, Chairman of Advertising Agencies Association of Nepal Santosh Chhetri said that the government should pay heed to promote the Association in a development authority as the advertisement volume in the country is Rs 5 billion plus.
Also speaking at the programme, senior journalist Devprakash Tripathi said that the new media policy should ensure promotion of the operating media houses and proportional and transparent distribution of the advertisements.
Likewise, general secretary of Nepal Press Union Ajay Babu Siwakoti said that the new media policy should address the concerns of the working journalists.
However, Chairman of Press Chautari Nepal Rajendra Aryal said amendments were needed in the draft of the policy as intention of the language and its chronology seems like a controlling interest.
Similarly, Chairman of Revolutionary Journalists Association Govinda Acharya said that the new media policy should pave a way for constitution of an independent and autonomous media commission for registration of media houses, regulation, monitoring, classification, distribution of press pass, advertisement distribution and other works.
On the occasion, General Manager of Nepal Television Laxman Humagain and News Division Chief of Radio Nepal Khagendra Khatri pointed out the need for some changes in the new media policy in relation to government's plan to make a public broadcasting service after the merger of the NTV and Radio Nepal.
During the programme, journalists Damodar Dawadi, Jaya Prakash Gupta, Shuvechha Bindu, Rajesh Ahiraj, Danda Gurung, Gopal Jha, Puru Risal and others said that the new media policy formulation should ensure public broadcasting medium of state-owned media houses while professional operation of the private sector media.
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