न्यूज अभियान
हरेक खबर विशेष खबर

Kathmandu, Oct 29: Minister for Information and Communications, Dr Bikram Timilsina, has stressed that press freedom should be kept intact by ensuring responsible and accountable media in the country.

At a discussion organized on the draft of the Mass Media Bill, 2083 at the Ministry on Thursday, Minister for Information Dr Timilsina reminded that legal arrangement was necessary to make clear the boundary between press freedom and the misuse of press. The discussion was attended by the stakeholders and Ministry officials.

Both the law and media are major pillars of a democratic society, so the relationship between these two elements should be addressed responsibly, according to the Minister. He further argued law represents binding rules, and mentions the roles of state institutions, while media is essential to provide information to citizens, thereby facilitating public debate and holding the government accountable.

He suggested the media that it paid heed to interest of consumers and a common citizen. Journalism is the most responsible and accountable profession, the Minister reminded and underscored the value of individual's freedoms while exercising freedom of press.

Dr Timilsina underlined, "Press must not be misused. Press freedom is a constitutional right, no one can seize it, but exercising one constitutional right should not violate the other." 

In his opinion, the sensitive relation between law and media should be dealt with dignity and scope of each other. “As democracy and the media are complementary to each other, their actions and behaviour determine how democratically and responsibly they function.  So, empowerment comes with responsibility and accountability.”

He shared that government was working to formulate a mass media law that protects freedom of press and freedom of opinion that meets the national needs. Such stakeholders discussion are helpful in ensuring participation of all concerned in formulation of law, Minister viewed.

Secretary at the Ministry, Rajendra Kumar Poudel, pledged refinement to the draft of the Mass Media Bill, 2083 BS, based on the stakeholders' suggestions. Adequate discussions with stakeholders will be held before finalizing the draft, he added.

Representatives of various media furnished suggestions to the Ministry on the preliminary draft of the bill in the programme.