Media vital to foster debate on climate change impact: VP Yadav

Patan, May 10: Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav has said climate change is the defining crisis of the present generation. Media needs to play a vital role in minimising the impact of climate change, he stressed.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Lomanthang International Media Summit organised by the Nepal Press Union in Lalitpur on Saturday, Vice President Yadav viewed media plays a critical role in creating public awareness to prevent climate crises.

"Media should carry on fact-based reporting on climate change, thereby informing people, equipping policy makers and promoting new technology to resolve the problems fueled by climate change," he suggested.

According to him, the journalists can bring to light the pressing issues of climate change, like environment-friendly technology, the government's efforts to minimise impacts, adaptation initiatives, green energy and sustainable development in an understandable manner to the public. It helps in frustrating misinformation and fostering media professionalism, he reminded.

"Press freedom is the backbone of democracy. It is a prerequisite to robust democracy where accountability and transparency can prevail," the Vice President argued.

According to him, baseless information spread via social networking sites was misleading people. Even the deepfake technology was used to prepare such misinformation, fake pictures and videos. It is challenging and warrants a strong fact-check system in place, he suggested.     

Strengthening media for positive impact: Minister Rana     

On the occasion, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba, said strengthening press freedom and democracy would create a positive impact in society and pave the way for progress.

With the rapid development of technology and huge transformation of legacy media, the new media were misused to spread fake news, which could ultimately erode the democratic foundation. She expressed worry, stressing the need for curbing this trend.

The press that fosters pluralism, criticism and debates helps democracy thrive, leading to economic development and social progress, the Minister argued. (RSS)