Dharmendra Jha
Kathmandu, Aug 27: The present Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) is the one that came into establishment after the merger of two news agencies- Sagarmatha Sambad Samiti and Nepal Sambad Samiti in 2018BS.
The journey of RSS, the State-run news agency, begun with the limited service from a small room in the federal capital, gradually expanded and made thriving presence with the cooperation and contribution from different sectors, including its subscribers and commoners.
It has been catering to country’s need for information, thereby building informed citizenry. It has continuously expanded its services and established itself as a ‘news bank’ and ‘source of media’.
In addition to its regular Nepali and English bulletins, the photos, audiovisual clips, opinions and feature news are other features. Incorporation of news in Abadhi language added further diversity last year to serve the media pluralism in line with federalism and inclusion envisioned by the Constitution.
However, subscribers’ demand for diverse service is growing in the changed context where people want varieties of credible information in a short time.
Keeping in mind the subscribers’ demand, RSS service expansion drive to enrich diversity and in an attempt to stand in line with the international news agencies, RSS is launching its Nepali news service for 24 hours today. The 24 hours service goes for experiment now.
We expect that expansion of current 17 hours service to the round-of-clock upgrading will add new dimension to RSS.
RSS is aware of its responsibility towards promotion and consolidation of democracy and empowerment of citizens with production and dissemination of credible information. So, it we are working actively. Undoubtedly, the latest drive has come to this regard.
Importantly, the proportional inclusion emphasized by the federal system warrants widening RSS service to reach additional communities and regions in the country and bringing their news and views to the fore.
The diversity and globalization of information and news have been further amplified by the digital technology of late. The RSS once limited to select society, region and time can not remain a backwater anymore. RSS is also for gradually leveraging the digital technology which has broken the barriers of space and time.
Although the population of Nepali language speakers is negligible in the world, the Nepali people are settled across the globe, and yearn for Nepali news. They want Nepali news quickly and conveniently. It is also one of the cogent developments behind the RSS going 24 hours.
From today, RSS Nepali news service goes 24 hours! It is now for experiment.
At a time when the present information ecosystem is badly affected by the mis- and disinformation along with digital deluge, the credible news produced and disseminated by RSS is believed to help build trust in media and system.
As always, RSS further expects suggestions, inputs and assistance from our subscribers and news readers in relation to the 24 hours news in experiment so that the service could be made further sustainable. Similarly, we express gratitude to the government for its guiding role and the RSS employees for their enduring cooperation to this end.
*Mr Jha is the Executive Chairman of RSS Nepal.
