Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) to launch today

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

The political debate will be held after 3 p.m. today as part of the 3-day PSB Nepal pre-launch program. It will explore the role of parties in further securing and strengthening the people’s fundamental rights and entitlements 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 Broadcasting 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 broadcasting 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.