'Journalism sector should disseminate credible and impartial news'

Birgunj (Parsa), Feb 18: Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative of Madhesh Province, Janardan Singh Chhetri said that journalism sector should focus on providing credible and impartial news.     

At a programme organized by the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)'s office at Birgunj, Parsa today on the occasion of the RSS's 64th anniversary, Minister Chhetri highlighted the important role played by the RSS in dissemination of authentic and credible news.     

The only state-owned news agency of the country is celebrating its 64th anniversary on coming February 19, coinciding with the National Democracy Day.     

Chettri emphasized the importance of journalists to abiding by the code of conduct. He viewed that professional organizations should enhance advocacy on transparency within the journalism sector.     

Furthermore, he acknowledged that the fact that journalists too are prone to committing mistakes. Hence, he suggested that they should be open to correcting the mistakes if need be.     

Stating that the RSS was becoming the beacon of hope for public lately for availing important information, Minister urged the RSS management to pay attention towards production of news contents that are people-oriented.     

He underscored the need for all media outlet to verify the information at first and then only disseminate them for the larger audiences to address the issue of disinformation and misinformation and considering the detrimental effects of disseminating false or misleading information.     

He also called on journalists to propel journalism practices responsibly, keeping the interest of citizens and country at the centre.     

Similarly, Officiating CDO of Parsa district, Nishanraj Gautam, pointed out the need for the RSS to do journalism effectively amidst challenges and possibilities.     

He suggested the RSS to explore partnerships with the private sector to expand and enhance its services.     

Likewise, Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) central secretary Ashok Tiwari appreciated the RSS's initiatives to diversify its services in the recent times.     

The RSS has been providing video service and news services in various mother languages such as Maithili, Awadhi and Nepal Bhasa.     

As for the bill on social media regulation introduced by the incumbent government, he called for amending some of its provisions that were not media-friendly.     

Also speaking at the programme, various personalities including Parsa Police Chief Gautam Mishra, Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry's senior Vice-Chairperson Hari Gautam, journalist Bikash Sharma, Nepal Insurance Authority Madhesh Province's Chief Priti Dev and RSS Birgunj Office Chief Himal Lamsal univocally urged the RSS to give continuity in disseminating authentic and impartial news.     

They also viewed that RSS should be a tool for social transformation and continue raising issues on wide range of issues such as climate change, industrial growth, health and education among others.     

They furnished a string of suggestions to the RSS for it to improve services and cater to the people's right to information on various matters of public interest and concern.     

Present at the programme were representatives from various public offices, security agencies and journalists' professional organizations among others.(RSS)