KATHMANDU, July 5: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Bikram Timilsina said the government is ready to engage with journalists and stakeholders to address problems facing Nepal's media sector.
Addressing the national conference of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) on Sunday, Timilsina said the government is prepared not only for dialogue but also to take concrete steps to resolve issues affecting the media industry.
Why media must be free
He acknowledged that the government's focus during its first 100 days had been on delivering key public commitments, leaving limited attention for media-related concerns. He stressed the need for serious discussions on strengthening the media sector and improving the working conditions of journalists.
Referring to the issue of minimum wages for media workers, the minister said effective implementation is more important than the structure of the wage-fixing committee. He rejected claims that the government had neglected the issue, adding that improving journalists' pay requires strengthening the overall financial health of media institutions.
Timilsina also said press freedom should be exercised responsibly, emphasizing that freedom of expression must go hand in hand with accountability and factual reporting. He noted that inaccurate or irresponsible reporting can seriously harm individuals and called for broader debate within the media community on ethical journalism.
