Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 23:

Journalists today asked radio listeners to raise their voice to press for resumption of broadcasting of news bulletins by the FM radio stations across the nation. “Blocking airing of news bulletins by the FM radio stations is a serious violation of peoples’ right to information on the part of the government. The government should, therefore, immediately withdraw the ban,” said Bharat Shakya of Image Channel, while addressing an interaction on ‘Role of media in the present situation and its impact to the public’, organised by Listeners’ Club Nepal. President of the Club, Chhabi Raman Adhikary, said the government should allow the FM stations to air news within the guidelines under which the state-run media is operating.

He said the club would raise awareness on the issue among the listeners. Professor Achyut Raman Adhikary, Rishi Dhamala of Reporters’ Club, Bishnu Hari Dhakal of Nepal FM also stressed on the need to raise voice against the ban. Hem Raj Gyawali of Kantipur Publications released a poetry collection Puspanjali written by Jagannath Dahal and an audio-cassette album Tragedy in Love by GK Pokahrel and Rajendra on the occasion.