Stress on ending syndicate system in media

BANEPA, July 13: The participation of a two-day interaction program on 'national communications policy and implementation' discussed the model of the mass communications policy and the Ministry of Information and Mass Communications in a federal setup. 

The speakers spoke of the need for bringing an effective mass communication policy so as to make media more accountable and responsible. 

The event organized by the Ministry and National Mass Communications Policy Implementation High-Level Suggestion Committee kicked off in Dhulikhel yesterday and will conclude today. "Some acts need to be scrapped while some are to be amended," the speakers added. 

Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications Mahendra Man Gurung stressed the need for ending a syndicate system which according to him is in practice in Nepali media. He suggested that Nepali media should increase quality in their services. 

He expressed his view for implementing the National Mass Communications Policy without hurting the spirit of the concept of full press freedom and freedom of expression. 

Administrative Court chair and media expert Kashiraj Dahal demanded for responsible and disciplinary role of mass media to strengthen democracy and to respect the citizen's right to information. He also suggested that any media law contravening the federal law should be avoided. 

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications Prem Kumar Shrestha underlined the need of fresh acts and laws for subordinate bodies under the Ministry in a new federal structure. 

Press Council Nepal's Chair Bhawani Baral said the mass communications policy should address the country's economic, political and social features while claiming however that newspapers' distribution audit system was conventional. 

He suggested bringing audit in distribution system down to 55 points and increasing its quality and implementing code of conduct. 

Likewise, Chairman of the Nepal Television Mahesh Raj Dahal stressed the need for amending the communication policy in changing context of the country. Concerned media outlets have been given a 15 day's time to prepare a report on its related scope of in order to address issues raised at the interaction. 

On the occasion, speakers including Rastriya Samachar Samiti General Manager Opendra Sharma, communication expert Tikaram Rai and Press Council member Ishwori Ojha expressed their separate view on an amendment to the communication policy. 

Meanwhile, GM Sharma inspected RSS's Kavre office. On the occasion, he was also apprised of methods in news gathering, the process to dispatch news reports from the district and the situation of physical infrastructure of the office. RSS