New laws, regulations will govern GC soon: Minister Gurung

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 3: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that new laws and regulations for the operation of Gorkhapatra Corporation (GC) will be enacted within a year. 

Minister Gurung, who is also the government spokesperson, emphasised the need for new legislation to make and move the Corporation at par with the changed context of the nation and the world.

Minister Gurung made these remarks during his inspection visit to the Corporation on Friday.  This is his first visit to the nation's oldest media house after assuming his office ministerial responsibilities recently. 

 “We will create new laws and regulations for Gorkhapatra, develop a new system, and complete this work within a year,” Minister Gurung said. He noted that the Gorkhapatra Corporation, with a history of 124 years of publication, has been operating traditionally. There is a need to manage human resources to make it more relevant to the changed times. 

Minister Gurung said that only by developing an information technologically skilled workforce Gorkhapatra could become competitive in the present media environment.

He expressed pride in the Gorkhapatra's historical significance in Nepali journalism but emphasised that its work should also reflect this pride. Stating that the current government is committed to full press freedom, Minister Gurung, however, said that the government would implement necessary regulations to prevent the media sector from going out of ethical and accountability norms to maintain order and system.

Minister Gurung stressed that unity and solidarity between leadership and employees of the Corporation would lead to the institution's success, directing everyone to work together with a focus on the common goals. “We have to work together starting from the Minister, Secretary, Corporation leadership and each member of the staff for the success of our goals,” he added.

He said that the GC would only succeed if it operated collectively and systematically rather than relying on an individual's discretion or will.

Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Radhika Aryal expressed her happiness upon learning that Gorkhapatra was also adopting technology in line with developments in information technology. She pledged the ministry’s continued support for the GC's development.

Executive Chairman of Gorkhapatra Corporation Bishnu Prasad Subedi, briefed Minister Gurung and Secretary Aryal about the overall progress and challenges of the Corporation.  

He requested the Minister for necessary support to construct a new building, as employees are currently working in a risky office building damaged by the earthquake of 2015. 

He said that the GC has been fulfilling its responsibilities through three types of duties, its duty towards the state, its duty to maintain balanced and professional conduct through journalism towards the citizens, and its duty towards the market for sound financial health.

General Manager of Gorkhapatra Corporation Lal Bahadur Airi said that the Corporation had been making good performance due to the united efforts of the leadership and employees. 

He expressed his hope that the stalled career development of employees for the past six years would advance with the implementation of the newly drafted regulations which is under review at the Ministry of Finance. 

Minister Gurung, Secretary Aryal and joint secretary at the Ministry Baburam Bhandari inspected the digital archiving studio, online department, printing press and the quake-damaged office building. Minister Gurung's team also inspected historical photos put on display at the Corporation.