Minister Kharel requests State media to prioritise election-friendly content

Kathmandu, Nov 4: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, has urged the State-run media to prioritise the dissemination of content that is favourable to create an atmosphere conducive to the election.

He reminded the editorial teams of the State-run media to be more accountable and responsible. “Disseminate the news in a way to address the voices raised by Gen Z for good governance and elections. End of corruption is Gen Z’s demand,” Minister Kharel said during a meeting held at his office, Singha Durbar, on Tuesday. The government is working actively to address the Gen Z demand along with the mandate to hold the March 5 election.

For this, rounds of discussion are held with political parties, civil society and media, the Minister said, adding that the State-run media has a further role in creating an environment for the election. He further informed that the stakeholders concerned, including political parties, Gen Z representatives, and civil society, are consulted for elections and good governance.

At a call of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, a tripartite meeting was held among the government, political parties and Gen Z representatives on October 29. Earlier, the government and political leaders held talks on October 21. Also the spokesperson of the government, Minister Kharel informed that all sorts of preparations were intensified for the election.

The government believes both the political parties and Gen Z representatives are positive for election. So, media should give attention to their issues in news, photos and visuals, he asked. In his opinion, if the election eludes, country may face another round of crisis, government has special priority to election. The voices of the Gen Z, victim families, those injured in protest deserve special space in the media.

The State-run media are not under political pressure as it was in the past, Kharel argued, urging continuous production of fair, balanced and credible news. On the occasion, the editors and reporters from all four State-run media, Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Gorkhapatra Corporation, Nepal Television and Radio Nepal informed Minister Kharel on their news production and dissemination, paying heed to Gen Z issues and government activities.

RSS chief editor Uttam Silwal and chief reporter Narayan Prasad Neupane vowed news dissemination in favour of election, good governance and Gen Z aspiration. Officiating editor at Gorkhapatra daily, Junar Babu Basnet; chief of digital section, Narad Muni Gautam; chief of News Division at Nepal Television, Pushpahari Kyampa Rai; online coordinator at Nepal Television, Govinda Dhital; chief of News Division at Radio Nepal, Pawan Pyakurel; and Deputy Director at Radio Nepal, Pramod Dahal, also shared the present news making and dissemination practices at the respective media.