KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 12
The Election Commission of Nepal has called on the mass media, particularly state-run outlets, to play an active role in fostering a positive environment for the upcoming by-elections on December 1.
During a discussion held today at the Commission's office with representatives from state-run media, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya urged the media to disseminate by-election-related information and content to help increase voter turnout.
Thapaliya appealed to state-run media outlets to prioritize the publication and broadcast of important decisions and statements from the Commission. He specifically requested print media to prominently feature election-related content, preferably on the front page.
The Commission also called for the airing and publication of public interest programs, such as talk shows and discussions, in collaboration with the Advertisement Board.
Additionally, the Commission urged the Press Council of Nepal to monitor media compliance with the election code of conduct for 2079 BS or the Journalist Code of Conduct for 2076 BS. The Commission also sought cooperation from all state-owned media to ensure the upcoming by-election is free, fair, and impartial.
To coordinate the dissemination of election-related content, the Election Commission has tasked the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology with overseeing cooperation between Radio Nepal, Nepal Television, Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), and Gorkhapatra.
The Ministry will also arrange for monitoring media content to prevent the spread of false or malicious information during the election period.
Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Radhika Aryal, assured that the Ministry is ready to coordinate with subordinate bodies to ensure the by-election is held in a free, fair, and impartial environment, without fear or intimidation.
In response to the Commission's appeal, RSS General Manager Siddharaj Rai pledged to deploy reporters and correspondents in local levels where the by-election is taking place to ensure comprehensive and fact-based reporting.
The discussion was attended by Election Commissioner Sagun Shumsher JBR, Commission Secretary Rabi Lal Pantha, Secretary Aryal, Director General of the Department of Information and Broadcasting Pradeep Pariyar, and other key officials. Representatives from the media outlets included RSS General Manager Rai, Radio Nepal Executive Director Amardhowj Lama, Nepal Television General Manager Samir Jung Shah, and Gorkhapatra Sansthan Chairperson Bishnu Subedi, among others.
