Officials at Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) said the state-owned CRI has already acquired ´downlink´ permission to rebroadcast its programs across Nepal. [break]The radio has also established its bureau in Kathmandu and hired correspondents recently to produce local programs.
Joint Secretary Mahendra Guragain, spokesperson at the MoIC, said the CRI recently acquired ´downlink´ permission as provisioned in National Broadcast Regulations 2054 BS. “The radio has been given permission to downlink and rebroadcast its programs through FM radios in Nepali, Chinese and English language in Nepal,” he said.
The CRI is the second international radio station after the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) radio to acquire ´downlink´ permission in Nepal.
The CRI began rebroadcasting its programs through a Kathmandu-based Maitri FM radio (99.4 MHZ) some three years ago.
The FM radio, which the CRI took as its representative in Nepal before the establishment of its bureau in Kathmandu recently, currently airs the CRI programs from 5:45 pm to 11:45 pm everyday. The programs aired include news, political commentary, interview and Chinese language teachings.
Officials said the CRI plans to reach out to Nepali listenerss across the country through local FM radios in various parts of the country. “We have learnt that CRI representatives in Kathmandu are currently in negotiations with FM radios in Kathmandu and beyond to reach Nepali listenerss across the country,” said a senior official at the ministry on condition of anonymity.
According to MoIC, altogether 231 FM radios across the country have received broadcast license. Over three dozens FM radios are based in Kathmandu Valley alone.
Officials said the establishment of a separate bureau of its state radio station in Kathmandu to produce programs locally and air them across Nepal reflects growing interests of China in Nepal especially after the fall of monarchy coupled with ´anti-China´ demonstrations launched by Tibetan refugees in Kathmandu streets in March, 2008.
As the China´s international radio station, CRI aims at promoting understanding and friendship between the people of China and people throughout the world with over 30 overseas bureaus. Currently, the radio broadcasts 1,520 hours of programs every day all over the world in 58 different languages.
According to a research report published by Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) and National Endowment for Democracy (NED) recently, China is using various components of public diplomacy to influence the media in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia lately. “China´s primary purposes appear to be to present China as a reliable friend and partner, as well as to make sure that China´s image in the developing world is positive,” adds the report.
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