Minister Sharma urges media persons to understand sensitivity of information during disasters

Kathmandu, Nov 4: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma today urged media persons to understand the importance and sensitivity of the information dissemination during the time of disasters.     

At a meeting of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) under the Ministry, the minister asked media persons to be sensitive in disseminating earthquake news and information.     

She directed the state-owned media, Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Gorkhapatra Corporation, Radio Nepal and Nepal Television to fulfil their special roles and responsibilities during natural disasters.     

"In fact, you all understand the importance of information. But news disseminated during disasters help reduce the possible loss of lives and properties, and false news adds woes of the victims and affects rescue efforts. So, there should be sensitivity in disseminating news during disasters," she said.     

Saying the dissemination of true and accurate news makes it easier for the security personnel, rescue workers and the government mechanisms deployed for rescue efforts, the minister urged the transmission of news that would help victims and rescue workers.     

As the people have to adopt high alert measures until 72 hours after the earthquake, she directed media to continue their service to help make people aware and alert.     

Media should disseminate truthful and correct news so as to end havoc of misleading information (if any) on social media, she said.     

The government spokesperson directed the Nepal Telecom to prevent disruption of communications in Jajarkot and Rukum West, deploy a technical team to immediately resolve any network problems, and provide free and robust communication systems until the earthquake rescue operations.     

Similarly, she instructed the concerned sector to work in coordination to prevent disruption of electricity in the affected districts. Since rescue efforts were underway, she urged all government bodies to take initiatives on their own to facilitate mobilisation of agencies and individuals for relief distribution. The meeting was attended by chiefs and representatives of the departments and offices under the ministry.(RSS)