KATHMANDU, March 6: The National Planning Commission has framed a base paper with long term vision for the 15th periodic plan, where a citizen's access to mass communications with full press freedom is incorporated. It was shared at a national consultation and interaction organized on the draft of the base paper in the capital city on Wednesday.
The base paper has proposed the vision, strategy and work policy for the implementation of the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the constitution. It has mentioned that the public media would be made autonomous, competitive, respected, accountable and professional. For this, reforms would be ensured in policy and structural levels.
Minister of State for Communications pledges new mass communica...
According to the draft paper, Radio Nepal and Nepal Television would be transformed into the public service broadcasting and made nationwide. In all provinces, technologically equipped media villages would also be set up.
NPC Member looking after the media sector, Min Bahadur Shahi, made it clear that government had no plan and policy at all to shrink media space and curtail press freedom. "Control of press can't be imagined. Press freedom is incorporated in the constitution as the fundamental rights. However, media could pay attention on cultural protection and promotion," he underscored.
RSS' capacity to be boosted
The draft has further mentioned that the capacity of the National News Agency (RSS) would be boosted and its reach expanded. The RSS has aimed at establishing offices in all provinces and equipping with able human resources.
