Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has expressed his commitment to give autonomy to the government-owned media as part of democratisation process in the country.

During a meeting held with the representatives of visiting international advocacy media mission to Nepal at his official residence in Baluwatar on Monday morning, premier Koirala said the government was in favour of democratising the government media and making it free from state interference.

Premier Koirala also said that the government was serious towards the rights of media persons and committed to implementation of the Working Journalists’ Act.

Koirala further said the government is ready to implement the suggestions and recommendations given by the mission and the high-level media commission.

Representatives of the IJF, IMS, UNESCO and AMARC participating in the mission were present during the meeting.

The mission will meet Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister KP Oli at 4 p.m. today.

IFJ president Christopher Warren is leading this third advocacy mission to Nepal. Two earlier missions had visited Nepal during the direct rule of the King.