Gandaki, Dec 28: Speakers at a programme said the newly developed concepts and practices should be applied for the professional and credible journalism.
During a discussion organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on ‘recent developments in mass communications’ in Pokhara on Sunday, the speakers, including the Minister, underlined the need of policy, structural and professional reforms for sustainable development of journalism.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology and government spokesperson, Jagadish Kharel, said digital transformation is imperative in mass communications. Content, presentation, innovation in technology and accessible media are required for preserving the identity of mass communications, he added.
“We’re in an age of digital media. Online news portals and YouTubes have been established as mainstream media. So, there is no option but to adopt digital transformation by the legacy media- print and radio,” Minister Kharel underscored.
He informed that the ministry had initiated registration and listing of YouTubes that disseminate news and message-oriented contents. The laws relating to mass communications are in need of revision and amendment, he reminded, adding that policy level reform is in government priority.
The Minister further shared process was on to provide discount on electricity tariff to FM radios. Other media houses would also get incentives. Federal government is facilitating the registration and renewal of media from province and districts, he stated.
Kharel suggested media merger citing the abundance of media. On the occasion, Ministry Secretary Radhika Aryal said technology has brought both the challenges and opportunities to journalism.
For the regulation and management of digital media, timely amendment of laws is imperative, she said, assuring that government does not infringe upon the media freedoms.
Chief Secretary of Gandaki Province Government, Danduraj Ghimire, said mass communications would see decline in public trust if journalism ignores dignity and values. Province government has been providing utmost support to the development and strengthening of media, he informed.
Similarly, Chief District Officer in Kaski, Rudra Devi Sharma, viewed media plays a vital role in informing citizens and strengthening democracy.
According to Chairman of FNJ Gandaki Province, Ramesh Paudel, State’s role counts much in protecting journalists’ professional rights. Even the works and services related to media should be decentralized as per federal structure, he suggested.
Chairman of FNJ Kaski chapter, Madhav Baral, said labour rights of journalists are important issues requiring proper attention. There is increasing need of skills, technology and workforce for the timely transformation of media. State should also assist in sustainability of media, he underscored. #nepal #rss
