Lalitpur, July 5: Minister for Information and Communication, Dr Bikram Timilsina, has urged the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) to prioritize dialogue with constructive suggestions rather than bringing into fore the issues in bits and pieces.
Government is committed to holistically address problems facing media sector, he added. In his address to a national conference, ‘Press Freedom in Changed Context: Media Law and Responsible Journalism’ organized by FNJ in Lalitpur today, Minister Dr Timilsina made it clear that the government was always open for discussion to sort out issues to bolster press freedom, media law reform and journalism. Government has not closed the door for dialogue was reported by FNJ, he argued, adding that continuous discussions help resolve problems.
“Press freedom is one of the pillars of democracy, to which government is fully committed. Freedom of press and opinion is guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal,” he reminded, adding that there is no obstruction to the implementation of the rights enshrined in the Constitution.
Media should work for government’s accountability, but at the same time, news must be based on facts, evidence and ethics, he underscored. According to him, time has come to clearly differentiate among news, misinformation (misleading information) and disinformation (deliberate spreading of false information).
The Minister stressed need for a common understanding between the government and FNJ to further reinforce journalism based on truth, facts and responsibility.
Minister Dr Timilsina also said government was for stronger, institutionalized, credible and professional journalism. He also sought responsible journalistic practice to maintain its dignity, credibility and social responsibility.
He further reminded that government had taken necessary move after he received information on the misuse of public advertisements.
Long-term solution would be feasible after addressing all issues including advertisement distribution, the financial condition of the media, legal reforms, professional security of journalists and institutional development. FNJ should cooperate with the government in a constructive and solution-oriented manner to resolve these problems, Dr Timilsina added.
He urged FNJ to choose formal and constructive dialogue than street agitation for their rights including distribution of advertisement. Government is awaiting suggestions from stakeholders that help improve the media sector.
Competent, independent and responsible media is imperative for democracy, he said, arguing mere source of government advertisements is not enough for media for the effective functioning and watching over the government. So, additional action plans are imperative at media houses, the Minister suggested.
The government dismissed the Minimum Wage Fixing Committee by concluding that it failed to function as per expectation, he clarified, adding that a short-term mechanism can be placed as per need to garner suggestions on the issues related to media. Media has vital role to foster spread of positive, factual and balanced information so that rising trend of negative news diminishes in society.
Minister Timilsina said press freedom comes with responsibility- the respect for the right to privacy, complete adherence to journalistic code and professional standard. Government has no policy at all to suppress information under any circumstances. Removing news would be against the journalistic code of conduct, he stressed.
He shared that the government was forwarding a plan to develop Press Council Nepal as a more efficient and credible regulatory mechanism. Self-regulation of media is need of hour so that media can be responsible for its own content.
The Minister pledged transparent and effective public media, and for which the Ministry was ready to work for the overall reform in this sector.
FNJ President Nirmala Sharma spoke about the challenges facing Nepali media. She pointed out the need of national debate on media law, press freedom and responsible journalism. #nepal #rss
