Kathmandu, April 3: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has said that Radio Nepal would be transformed into public service broadcasting (PSB) as soon as possible.    

"Legal process has moved ahead for transforming the state-owned radio into PSB. The government is ready to provide all sorts of assistance to it for its development in the days to come," said minister Karki, also a spokesperson for the government, at an event organised here today on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of Radio Nepal.    

Praising its role during various disasters and crises in the past like earthquakes and COVID-19, the minister stressed the need for making Radio Nepal's service more effective in the coming days. It should be competitive among its competitors and has to expose and help address the problems of people by expanding its service to rural areas as well. Its coverage should be expanded so people from all over the country can get its service, he said.    

On the occasion, the ministry secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, also chairperson of the Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee, stressed the need for Radio Nepal to make an action plan to expand its access to all people, with the development of information technology.    

Established on 2 April 1951, Radio Nepal has been providing service with the slogan of 'inclusive voice of modern Nepal'. It broadcasts news in 21 languages and other programmes in 20 languages.    

It has honoured senior lyricist Kiran Kharel and musician Dipak Jangam with 'Radio Nepal National Artist Honour Award'. Similarly, on the occasion, 36 Radio Nepal employees who have completed 25 years of their service in the radio have been honoured with gold medals.