Minister Gurung stresses reforms in working styles to strengthen democratic practices and ensure press freedom

Lalitpur: Communication and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has stressed the need for reforms in working styles to strengthen democratic practices and ensure press freedom.

Inaugurating the Lomanthang International Media Summit organized by the Central Committee of the Nepal Press Union in Lalitpur today, Minister Gurung viewed terrorism, anarchy, and autocracy as the biggest threats to democracy and press freedom.

The Communication Minister underscored the importance of ensuring that society benefits from a free press. He expressed concern over the spread of misinformation online and the difficulties in controlling it.

Minister Gurung also emphasized the need for a collective approach to combat the effects of climate change and urged that development efforts be guided by public needs rather than the interests of any specific leader or political party. “Such an approach will help strengthen democracy,” he stated.

He further stressed the importance of the rule of law and impartial journalism and mentioned that provisions are being made to bring online media under the scope of self-regulation through the Media Council Bill.

Calling Lomanthang a place where the direct impacts of climate change are visible, the Minister said the summit held particular importance in that context.

Sabina Indrajit, Vice-President of the International Federation of Journalists, stated that democracy cannot be strengthened without press freedom. She noted that the Federation operates in more than 150 countries, advocating globally for press rights.

Acting President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Deepak Acharya, said that climate change has become a worldwide concern and emphasized the need to address issues of press freedom and environmental sustainability together.