Public Service Broadcast (PSB) to launch today

Kathmandu, 14 Jan: Public Service Broadcast (PSB) Nepal is organizing a political debate today on how it can contribute to strengthening a prosperous nation and democracy.

The political debate is to be held after 3 pm today as part of the 3-day PSB Nepal pre-launch program. The debate will explore the role of parties in further securing and strengthening the fundamental rights and entitlements of the people as provided for in the Constitution.

The program will attempt to find out the views of the parties on achieving the objectives of the Public Service Broadcast Act and fulfilling their accountability to the citizens.

Today’s political debate will be attended by the Chief Whip of the ruling party CPN-UML Mahesh Bartoula;  MP of the Nepali Congress Kamala Panta;  MP of the CPN-Maoist Center Devendra Poudel;  Chief Whip of the Rastriya Swatantra Party Santosh Pariyar; and, MP of the Janata Samajwadi Party Ranju Jha.

The debate will focus on promoting and strengthening democracy through political debates. The Chairperson of PSB Nepal, Dr. Mahendra Bista has expressed confidence that the political debate will help clarify the role of public service broadcast in the promotion of democracy and its benefits.

It is expected that PSB will help in increasing the effectiveness of public services and will receive additional commitment from parties for good governance.

In addition, since PSB will play a role as a bridge between the people and the state, the door to cooperation with political parties will also be opened, Chairperson Dr Bista informed.

The pre-launch program will start at 11 am today and will be broadcast live on Nepal Television channels, Radio Nepal and digital platforms of both NVT and radio Nepal.

The pre-launch program will conclude on January 16.