PM asks not to suspect his intention; HLMC submits report to Prime Minister

September 15, 2006
4 MIN READ
A
A+
A-

At a time, when the atmosphere of peace process was getting spoiled due to allegations and counter allegations regarding arms import, the Prime Minister has reiterated his stance towards making the peace talks successful.

Coordinator of the High-level Media Recommendation Commission, Radhe Shyam Adhikari (r) presenting report to of the commission to Prime Minister Giriaja Prasad Koirala (L) at his official residence, Friday, Sep 15 06. nepalnews.com/rh

After receiving the 40-page report prepared by the High Level Media Commission (HLMC), Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala told a delegation of media that “no one should suspect his intention.”

“I am fully committed to the peace process and holding of the elections of Constituent Assembly,” PM Koirala was quoted as saying by a participant at the program.

On the much-talked about summit talks with the Maoist leadership, PM Koirala said that it will be held once the backgrounds are prepared by dialogue teams of both the sides.

Meanwhile, at a special program in Baluwatar, the members of Media Commission handed over their report to the Prime Minister providing suggestions on various aspects of media such as advertisement policy, categorization and investment.

After receiving the report from the HLMC, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has asked the Minister of State for Information and Communications Dilendra Prasad Badu to immediately implement the recommendations, adding that the government is serious to ensure freedom of media.

“Although there were 13 members in the commission, we could prepare the report on consensus within the allotted time of 2 months,” said Babita Basnet, a member of the commission.

Elaborating the characteristics of the report, Basnet said that it provides concrete recommendations about regulating the media sector. “This time we have thoroughly studied about all kinds of media including print, electronic as well as online,” she said.

“The report suggests dividing government advertisement into three categories, namely commercial, public information and public interest. Among them, the latter two will have to be provided proportionally to all. Likewise, the report advises that government media agencies employ at least 33 percent of women. It also suggests promoting those private media houses who employ 33 percent women.”

“The report also suggests about foreign investment in media sector. It suggests that less than 50 percent of foreign investment be allowed in a transparent manner along with ensuring that Nepali citizens are employed in decision-making level. She said, “If the recommendations of the report are implemented, they will bring a drastic change in Nepalese media sector.”

The report recommended the government to form high-level media commission for professional development of media sector of the country.

The HLMC also recommended to form Broadcasting Authority for institutional development of broadcasting medium.

The recommendation also asked the government to operate state run broadcasting media through the concept of Public Service Broadcasting and empower Press Council to implement Code of Conduct in electronic and digital medium as well.

The recommendation also asked the government to give recognition of mass media to all digital medium and also asked to create conducive environment for free competition among all service providers of digital medium.

The recommendation also asked the government to give responsibility of running the state run Gorkhapatra daily to private sector after ensuring that the brand of the paper will not be distorted.

The report also recommended for making the provision of registering newspapers in District Development Committees and added that the record of the newspapers should be updated at the website of Department of Information to ensure that the name of the newspaper was not repeated.

The report also asked the government not to impose additional duties to the television stations that are running as Public Service Broadcasting.

At the program, State Minister Badu vowed to implement the report’s suggestion soon.