PM urges media responsibility

KATHMANDU, Sept 5 - Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday asked media to act responsibly in the overall interest of the country. He said a slight mistake by a journalist could invite a big loss to the country in the current situation where some forces still remain opposed to ...

"Even a slight mistake [on the part of media] could invite a big loss," he warned.

Dahal, who is also Chairman of the CPN-Maoist, argued that media should be unanimous on issues related to the people's desire for peace and change even if they are critical of a host of other issues. "If media fails to be unanimous on these two issues,  those harboring negative ideas both inside and outside the country will take advantage," he further said.

He said that media will have a greater role in institutionalizing the federal democratic republic. "However, there are apprehensions in some quarters whether there will not be anarchy within media," he said.

Prime Minister Dahal maintained that his party valued media highly both during the "people's war" and also after the Maoists came into mainstream politics.

It is ironic to note that CPN-Maoist cadres killed a number of journalists including Dekendra Thapa during the people's war and continued that tendency by killing another journalist, Birendra Kumar Sah, even after they had joined the peace process in 2006.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal pointed out the need to take new initiatives to help realize the people's aspirations. He also announced that the upcoming budget and the plans and policies of the new government would fully incorporate the concerns of ordinary people.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam lauded the role played by media to bring awareness among people and abolish the 240-year old institution of feudal monarchy. He asked all media to play a constructive role in helping build a new Nepal.

Minister for Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara said media should work towards fulfilling the needs of ordinary people. He also suggested that media excercise their freedom in the greater cause of people and country.