Help media improve

Pokhara: The upcoming budget should address the problems of media. The rate and amount of public welfare advertisement should be increased. The advertisements related to the loss of passports given in local newspapers should also be acknowledged. The District Administration Office only gives recognition to advertisements of loss of passports in limited newspapers published from the capital. Local advertisements should be given in local newspapers only. The salaries of journalists should be increased and programmes for the professional development should be brought in. Programmes to uplift the facilities and living standard of journalists should be brought. There should be provisions for concession for journalists in purchase of vehicles and equipment like computer and fax machines. The recently expanded high level media commission should draw government’s attention to the problems faced by journalists. Government should implement its recommendations promptly.

Narayan Karki, editor in chief, Samadhan Daily

Remember its role

Dang: Media personnel have played an important role in Janaandolan-2 across the country, a fact that needs to be appreciated by the government in the coming budget. However, there are few journalists who have used their pens in support of regression. The government, which has been re-established by people’s movement, should make all decisions keeping in view of these facts. The budget should bring in programmes to facilitate media and help it grow. Media personnel in the districts should be given priority in the upcoming budget, as they have very little resources to work with. Also, press freedom should be guaranteed. Appropriate budge should be allocated for the development of district- based media personnel. Adequate programmes should be brought for the overall development of media outside the valley.

Narayan Prasad Sharma, editor, Naya Yugbodh Daily

Look after journalists

Chitwan: The government should provide one million rupees to Journalists’ Welfare Fund, Rs 1.5 million to conflict-affected journalists fund and Rs 400,000 for construction of building of FNJ, Chitwan branch as was already decided. There should be provisions of insurance for all journalists and fund for Journalists’ Welfare Fund should be doubled in the forthcoming budget. The rate of advertisement for public welfare advertisements should be doubled. A support fund for weekly and daily newspapers outside the capital should be established. The government should provide plots for the construction of branch offices of FNJ. There should be concessions in telephone charges for journalists and newspapers. Also, concession in postal charges should be given. Government advertisements should be given to local newspapers as well. The district committees along with the central committee of FNJ should be consulted before government makes any decision regarding the media sector.

Bishnu Chimeki, editor, Pardarshi Dainik

Protect art, culture

Dharan: The government should bring in clear policies regarding the development and promotion of literature, art, culture, theatre and cinema. The state should also be aware about the conservation and promotion of theatre, which is often labelled as unproductive, and should bring in programmes to promote theatre. Special programmes to promote the cultural and entertainment sector outside the capital should be introduced. Also, separate academies should be established for the development of movies, drama, music and fine arts and they should be expanded at the regional level as well. There should be a provision for local bodies and business houses to invest in cultural and entertainment sector compulsorily. A certain amount of budget should be allocated for this sector in every budget from now on, instead of only providing grants. The state should categorise and give special recognition to amateur organisations working in this sector. The government must bring a policy for protection of cultural sector and artists.

Rajendra Rimal, director, Anam Group