Government is committed to promoting media pluralism: Minister Karki

Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki expressed his confidence that Rashtriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) would further enrich its historical dignity without deviating from the principles, values, and essence of professional journalism.

Addressing the inauguration of the newly constructed building of RSS at Bhadrakali on Wednesday, Minister Karki emphasized that RSS should always promote itself as a leading organization in the news sector.

Karki, also spokesperson of the government, said, “RSS and other media have a special challenge to increase public’s access to information while respecting the constitutional rights of the public to get information.

We must be aware of the negative effect it has on society if false information is dissimilated in the name of breaking news.” Stating that RSS had established itself as an organization for disseminating credible news for the past six decades, he expressed his belief that the newly inaugurated building would contribute to making the overall service delivery of RSS more effective and timely.

The Minister was of the belief that with the new and huge building, RSS would be able to deliver news in accordance with the changing contents and equipped itself with skilled human resources and modern equipment.

Block ‘A’ and Block ‘B’ of the RSS central office have 54 rooms altogether. Each block is four stories. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who laid the foundation stone for the buildings on October 26, 2017, inaugurated the building amidst a special programme today.

Minister Karki assured the incumbent government was ever ready to support and facilitate the overall development of the RSS. According to him, new practices were there in the information technology sector and the public was consuming new tools for media. There had been changes in the psychology of the public accordingly.

In the current changing contexts, he viewed that RSS should acknowledge those changes and play an important role in establishing an up-to-date information system and taking it forward.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to freedom of the press, freedom of speech and media pluralism and said that healthy and constructive criticism would further strengthen democracy.

Moreover, he viewed to attain sustainable development goals and good governance; there was the need for clean, factual, creative and professional journalism at present.

He shared that the government aimed to establish Nepal as an exemplary nation in South Asia by protecting and promoting the freedom of citizens, and their freedom of speech as envisioned by the constitution of Nepal.