The Province No. 5 has released the draft of its 'Communications policy, 2075' aiming at developing and promoting the media sector in the province.
The draft released by the Internal Affairs and Law Ministry of the Province has proposed institutionalization of citizens' right to expression and right to information by internalizing the role of free and responsible mass media to solidify the open, pro-people and accountable state mechanism as envisaged by the Constitution of Nepal. The draft has the provision to protect the independence of media persons and promoting people's right to information and freedom of expression.
Likewise, access to information to all regions and communities in the province and maintaining close relationships between the province government and people through media is also proposed in the policy.
Similarly, competitive media in a professional manner and transparency in media investment is also proposed in the policy draft.
As targeted by the policy, decent and credible media would be ensured through professionalism development of the media, and the media sector would be developed as the lucrative one by bringing in skilled and quality human resources in this sector.
On the occasion, Secretary of the Ministry Dr Man Bahadur BK said that a radio would not be given more than a frequency while the radio stations within the province should take permission from the province government prior to establishing network with the radio stations from the federal level. Moreover, publications of newspapers for the grants would be discouraged.
On the occasion, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law of the Province No. 5 Kul Prasad KC said that the draft would be passed from the upcoming meeting of the province assembly by holding intensive discussions with the media persons of the entire districts of the province and stakeholders. Minister KC added that the province government has no intention to squash the media freedom but targets to establish the dignity of the media sector.
