PM Dahal insists on democratic communications policy

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has insisted on the need of democratic information and communications policy to increase access of all classes, regions, castes, languages and communities to mass communications.

In his address to a ceremony organised on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of Nepal Television here today, the Prime Minister was of the view that focus on the IT development and expansion would create a foundation for the government to successfully undertake the nation’s mandates.

As the Prime Minister said, the incumbent government is committed to building structures and ensuring legal and practical grounds for the full guarantee of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the right to information and the press freedom. The government owns a policy to protect and promote media with their recognisation as the national service industries for the promotion of the rights of media people and for professional and institutional development of media, according to the Prime Minister.

“The government has come up with a policy to develop information and communications system as a supporting tool to improve the people’s living standard with institutionalization of federal democratic republic system,” the PM mentioned. Stating that we are in the digital era, he said the development and use of digital technology had led to quality changes in social production system.

The government is committed to establishing a mass communications training academy for capacity enhancement of media persons and the promotion of media professionalism, according to the Prime Minister who pledged to ensure all professional rights and physical security of journalists, including their health and accident insurances.

He took time to say that social justice, good governance and prosperity were the top priorities of the government under his leadership. Strengthening of democracy, protection and progressive enforcement of the constitution, economic reform and effective delivery in the areas of people’s service and livelihood sectors were the major mandates of the government, according to the PM.

On the occasion, the PM drew the attention of Nepal Television towards internalizing the government mandates and making the public aware of them.

He extended his best wishes and gratitude to the Nepal Television family, its audiences, well wishers at home and abroad and advertisement providers on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of NTV, the oldest television channel in the country.

PM Dahal said, “The Nepal Television is moving ahead transforming itself as per change in political system and state’s character which has further proved the television’s role and importance.” Broadcasting news in seven different languages from this year was further significant, he mentioned that the television had challenges to become more responsible and professional as per viewers’ expectation.

The PM also urged the Nepal Television to spend its all knowledge for the welfare of the organisation in order to transform challenges into opportunity.

Expressing the belief that the Nepal Television would give continuity to provincial channel expansion task on the basis of necessity and priority, he shared, “Television broadcasting from Kathmandu has brought to light the history, language, culture and voice of all classes, gender, area and community. So, all classes and communities can see their faces in the television and feel ownership.”

The PM also thanked the Nepal Television for being able to establish Nepali language, art, culture and identity globally, expressing the belief that the Nepal Television would provide further modern, fast and efficient service by developing its professional capability in coming days.

On the occasion Chairperson of Nepal Television, Samir Jung Shah, said emphasis was laid on development of professional capability and skills by adopting changes of communications and information sector.

Likewise, General Manager of Nepal Television, Phulman Bal, shared information on the activities of Nepal Television.