RSS is 'media of the media' and its services should be further streamlined: Secretary Aryal

Kathmandu, Nov 1: Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Secretary, Dr Baikuntha Aryal has described the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) as the 'media of the media' and stressed other streamlining its services.     

He said this while addressing the 'RSS Employees Service Induction Orientation' programme the National News Agency organised for its new staff here today.     

"The RSS' services should be made further professional, qualitative and credible for it is a 'news-maker' institution," Secretary Aryal said and urged the RSS journalists to work with the highest professionalism keeping in mind the national responsibility and accountability of the news agency's news services.     

Secretary Aryal further said: "The rest of the media might have their own way and style of news dissemination, but RSS' role is that of news production and providing that to the rest of the media outlets. So, in this backdrop, RSS is also functioning as the 'media of the media' like the international wire services as AP and AFP. Therefore, attention should be given to making the RSS services further qualitative, impartial and credible."     

He stressed on enhancing the news quality, making the news more credible and objective while incorporating people's, social and development issues. "RSS has maintained this credibility so far and it should become active in furthering this," Secretary Aryal reiterated. He suggested RSS to also focus on investigative news.     

Executive Chairperson of RSS, Dharmendra Jha, said that the RSS should pay attention to making its news content richer in increasing the image and pride of the organisation.     

He mentioned, "Refurbishing is necessary for RSS in its 61 years history. It is necessary for making the services of RSS more specialized accordingly."     

Chair Jha further said that new journalists and staff selected through Public Service Commission have a responsibility to burnish RSS' future, urging them to be active to enhance RSS’s image by utilizing their skills and knowledge.     

He also requested to pay attention to how to establish a national image of RSS internationally. "Information and communication have become an unavoidable part of people's lives. The benefits of information can be taken personally. News content should be presented in a truthful manner without misusing the information," stressed Chair Jha.     

Similarly, Chief of Administration, Sheetal Prasad Mahato, urged the RSS employees to present their professional skills honestly, truthfully, and impartially keeping the RSS responsibility in mind.     

Officiating Chairperson of RSS Employees Association, Pabitra Guragain, Chairperson of RSS Employees Union, Kalika Khadka, Chairperson of RSS Nepal National Employees Organisation, Prem Prasad Upadhyay, urged the RSS employees to present their professional skills.     

Information about RSS institutional structure and service would be imparted to the new journalists and employees in the two-day orientation. (RSS)