Radio Nepal moving ahead as per national interests and people’s aspirations: Minister Karki

Kathmandu: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has expressed the belief that Radio Nepal would expand its broadcasting services by incorporating the latest information and technologies.

Addressing an event organised on the premises of Radio Nepal on the occasion of its 72nd anniversary on Sunday, Minister Karki said Radio Nepal had been carrying its services as per the national interest and people’s aspirations.

The Minister also stated that Radio Nepal would be transformed into public service broadcasting (PSB) as soon as possible. “Legal process has moved ahead for transforming the state-owned radio into PSB. The government is ready to provide all sorts of assistance to it for its development in the days to come,” said minister Karki, also a spokesperson for the government.

Praising its role during various disasters and crises in the past like earthquakes and COVID-19, the minister stressed the need for making Radio Nepal’s service more effective in the coming days. It should be competitive among its competitors and has to expose and help address the problems of people by expanding its service to rural areas as well.

Its coverage should be expanded so people from all over the country can get its service, he said. On the occasion, the ministry secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, also chairperson of the Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee, stressed the need for Radio Nepal to make an action plan to expand its access to all people, with the development of information technology.

Likewise, Executive Director of Radio Nepal, Buddhi Bahadur KC briefed on the progress the radio has made this year. He added that Radio Nepal was ready to upgrade its services to further enhance its services as per the demand of time.

Established on 2 April, 1951, Radio Nepal has been providing service with the slogan of ‘inclusive voice of modern Nepal’. It broadcasts news in 21 languages and other programmes in 20 languages.

It has honoured senior lyricist Kiran Kharel and musician Dipak Jangam with the ‘Radio Nepal National Artist Honour Award’.

Similarly, on the occasion, 36 Radio Nepal employees who have completed 25 years of their service in the radio have been honoured with gold medals.