Newly appointed Minister of State for Information and Communications, Shirish Shumsher Rana (File photo)

Newly appointed Minister of State for Information and Communications, Shirish Shumsher Rana, has said the controversial media law introduced by the government on the eve of Dashain holidays is still incomplete.

Addressing a programme organized by ‘Sanchar Samuha’ in Kathmandu on Friday, State Minister Rana said there was the need to review the media ordinance and incorporate issues like ‘Torts law’ in it. He said Nepali press was one of the freest media in the world and invited foreign agencies – that were saying that there was no press freedom in the country—to visit Nepal and see the situation here.

Responding to a question, State Minister Rana said media in Nepal was also partially responsible for the present state of affairs in the country. Political scientists say democracy matures normally after three general elections. But, look what happened to us over the last 15 years, he said. He did not elaborate.

The journalist-turned-minister said elections were the only means to keep the king out of every day politics. “HM the King has expressed his commitment to hand over powers to an elected Prime Minister. So, everybody should help His Majesty in this mission,” he added.

Rana defended his predecessor, Tanka Dhakal, and said he did the job that had been pending over the last 15 years. “I don’t consider him a failure,” he added. When asked about the government’s raid upon Kantipur FM and Radio Sagarmatha FM, Rana said it was the job of the government to implement law. He did not want to go into details.

Rana was inducted in the council of ministers on Wednesday. When asked if he was also the spokesman of the government, Rana said, “I have just become a minister. I am not quite aware of it.”