Fiat will cripple media in days to come, says expert
Himalayan News Service Kathmandu, October 28:
Media expert Dr Ram Krishna Regmi today said that the recently promulgated media ordinance will cast a long-lasting impact on the development of media in Nepal.
Addressing a talk programme, organized by the Nepal Journalism Students’ Organisation, Regmi said that the ordinance has closed all doors for Nepal to be called a country having press freedom, “It will also leave the teachers embarrassed when they try to teach the young generation what kind of press freedom the state has granted to the people.”
Regmi added that the ordinance has surely been drafted or promulgated by those who want to kill press freedom and get benefits by blocking information that should reach the people. “The government’s only motive, it is now proved, is to terrorize the presse way,” he said.
Regmi said that news is aired by FM stations in some countries but not in others. “In the context of Nepal, it is cheap and easily accessible. Hence, it should be allowed. Discontinuing news on FM station will deprive the people of their right to information,” he said. Regime also said that the proposed monopoly of Rashtriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) in distribution of news will make Nepal a country where people would remain in the dark about the whereabouts of detained political leaders for years. “RSS is only a government news agency, it is not a national news agency. If it becomes the sole agency, people will miss hundreds of news items everyday because most of the news that we read is not covered by it,” he said.
Bishnu Nisthuri, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, said the journalists would launch a bigger movement to compel the government to withdraw the ordinance. “The ordinance has already invited international criticism and is a matter of shame for the whole nation in the international arena,” he said.
In another interaction on the ordinance, organised by the Editors’ Society of Nepal (ESN), speakers focussed on the need for open dialogue to resolve the ongoing controversy over it.
Govinda Biyogi of ESN stressed the need for discussion and finding common ground for combating the media ordinance.
Srish Samshere Rana, a senior journalist, said the ordinance is incomplete and may require some changes but the solution could not be found in street movements. “Let’s wait until the Supreme Court gives a verdict. Alternatively, let’s sit together for better results,” he said.
Hari Lamsal, editor of Rashtra Vani weekly, said it was still possible to hold talks with the government regarding any problem or flaw in the ordinance.
Media expert Dr Ram Krishna Regmi today said that the recently promulgated media ordinance will cast a long-lasting impact on the development of media in Nepal.
Addressing a talk programme, organized by the Nepal Journalism Students’ Organisation, Regmi said that the ordinance has closed all doors for Nepal to be called a country having press freedom, “It will also leave the teachers embarrassed when they try to teach the young generation what kind of press freedom the state has granted to the people.”
Regmi added that the ordinance has surely been drafted or promulgated by those who want to kill press freedom and get benefits by blocking information that should reach the people. “The government’s only motive, it is now proved, is to terrorize the presse way,” he said.
Regmi said that news is aired by FM stations in some countries but not in others. “In the context of Nepal, it is cheap and easily accessible. Hence, it should be allowed. Discontinuing news on FM station will deprive the people of their right to information,” he said. Regime also said that the proposed monopoly of Rashtriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) in distribution of news will make Nepal a country where people would remain in the dark about the whereabouts of detained political leaders for years. “RSS is only a government news agency, it is not a national news agency. If it becomes the sole agency, people will miss hundreds of news items everyday because most of the news that we read is not covered by it,” he said.
Bishnu Nisthuri, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, said the journalists would launch a bigger movement to compel the government to withdraw the ordinance. “The ordinance has already invited international criticism and is a matter of shame for the whole nation in the international arena,” he said.
In another interaction on the ordinance, organised by the Editors’ Society of Nepal (ESN), speakers focussed on the need for open dialogue to resolve the ongoing controversy over it.
Govinda Biyogi of ESN stressed the need for discussion and finding common ground for combating the media ordinance.
Srish Samshere Rana, a senior journalist, said the ordinance is incomplete and may require some changes but the solution could not be found in street movements. “Let’s wait until the Supreme Court gives a verdict. Alternatively, let’s sit together for better results,” he said.
Hari Lamsal, editor of Rashtra Vani weekly, said it was still possible to hold talks with the government regarding any problem or flaw in the ordinance.
