Govt to merge Nepal Television and Radio Nepal

Published On: May 19, 2023 07:05 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, May 19: The government is preparing to merge Nepal Television and Radio Nepal.

This matter has been included in the policies and programs of the next fiscal year presented in parliament by the government on Friday.

It is also mentioned in the policies and programs to pay attention to policy, legal and structural reforms for the promotion of freedom of press and expression and decent journalism. The government's policy is to advance the communication industry as a knowledge-based service industry.

President Ram Chandra Paudel said, "The access of common citizens to the use of information and technology will be increased. The use of information technology will be expanded in areas such as education, health, development, construction and service delivery.”

Similarly, information technology used in government and public service delivery will be managed in an integrated manner.

Online services will be provided from the ward level itself. A data exchange platform will be established to exchange data between electronic systems. Policy, legal and structural reforms will be made for the promotion of freedom of press and expression and the subject of decent journalism. The communication industry will be developed as a knowledge-based service industry.

President Poudel said Radio Nepal and Nepal Television will be merged and integrated broadcasting service will be started after establishing the Public Service Broadcaster within the next two fiscal years.

The Press Council will be transformed into a Media Council with new legal arrangements to regulate the content published and broadcast by all media. An umbrella law related to mass media will be created.

Proportional advertising system will be implemented. Nepali advertisements and other transactions made through the Internet will also be brought under the scope of tax. By integrating and strengthening the Journalists' Welfare Fund, senior journalists will be honored and journalists who are victims of conflict will be given relief and journalists' funds and accident insurance, as well as female journalists and journalists of different languages will be encouraged.