KATHMANDU, JULY 10
Media experts have stressed the need to strengthen the autonomy of Press Council Nepal and respectable journalism.
They argued that journalism could be made more effective and responsible during a programme on 'Press Council Nepal's Role on Protection of Press Freedom' here today.
Senior journalist Babita Basnet suggested that the Council should not engage in monitoring of social networking sites. "The autonomy of the Council is questioned now," she said. Similarly, Chairperson of Sancharika Samuha, Nitu Pandit, viewed that time had come to engage in thorough debate on how professional code could be brought under certain rule.
Noted journalist Tirtha Koirala opined that the Council should pay heed to the voices of media consumers, adding, "It should ensure that people got right information." "The current code of conduct is not invoked in the case of cartoon," he said. He also suggested that the Council shun its role of classifying newspapers.
At the programme, former Chairperson of Federation of Nepali Journalists and current Chairperson of Nepal Television, Mahendra Bista, viewed the law as the determinant of press freedom. "Therefore, Press Council should be aware in the course of framing law," he suggested.
Similarly, former Chairperson of FNJ, Shiva Gaunle said Press Council should limit its role to monitoring the code of conduct of Nepali press.
Press Chautari Chairperson Ganesh Basnet suggested the Council do enough homework before regulating social networking sites.
Chairperson of Print Media Network, Dev Prakash Tripathi argued that the notion that 'everybody can be a journalist' had contributed to the reduced image of journalism and its credibility. Former General Secretary of FNJ, Ujir Magar said the Council's role was challenged after the province governments brought a new media policy.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 11 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
