Media role vital for poll environment: Minister Kharel

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Oct 8: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel has viewed that the role of news media is vital for making a conducive environment for the election to the House of Representatives (HoR) slated for March 5, 2026.

Minister Kharel, who is also the government spokesperson, made it clear in interaction with journalists and officials of Gorkhapatra Corporation (GC) that the HoR poll on March 5 was critical for avoiding any political vacuum or lengthy transition.

During his inspection visit to the GC today, the minister directed the Gorkhapatra to take lead in disseminating reliable, trustworthy and authoritative news that upholds the spirit of the recent Gen Z movement and creates a favourable environment for the HoR poll.

“Founded as per will and spirit of the Gen Z movement, this government was formed with the consensus of all political parties and the will of the people. It enjoys broad civic support. The election is a collective aspiration of both the political parties and the citizens. The Election Commission has already published the official schedule of the election,” said the Minister.

Gen Z wants good governance and end of corruption. The incumbent government is working for the same, including the formation of the Inquiry Commission on loss of lives and properties during the protest, said the government spokesperson.

As a journalist, I understand theories on agenda setting and agenda framing, I urge the media houses to set the poll as the agenda, he said.

Minister Kharel, also government spokesperson, said that the government was in discussion with political parties to ensure that the HoR poll is held on time and in a peaceful, conducive and fair manner.

Talking about the Gorkhapatra Corporation's publications including the online platforms, the minister appreciated coverage of social issues but pointed at the need to improve layout design and content coverage that reflects that present change following the Gen Z movement.

If you talk about public voice first, then at this time, it means the voice of the youths, those who fought for change, got wounded during the movement or the families of those who lost lives during the movement, said the Minister.

Referring to the presentation made by the Gorkhapatra management about its business, the Minister lauded that the Corporation made a profit of over Rs. 120 million last year. 

Speaking on the occasion, secretary at the Ministry Radhika Aryal, assured that the ministry was with GC in its efforts to make it a media house of the state and the people.

"It is up to you working here to ensure proper and effective ways to disseminate authoritative and reliable news. The ministry is always with you in such efforts. I have yet to receive the O&M survey and other working procedures which you said you have submitted to the ministry for approval. Once I get that, I assure I will work on them," said secretary Aryal.

Lal Bahadur Airi, general manger of the GC, briefed Minister Kharel about the accomplishments and challenges of the GC.

He pointed out the need for accelerating processes for career promotion of the GC employees as that has stalled for almost a decade and affected overall working environment.

"With regard to digitization of Gorkhapatra from its first issue, we have so far completed that of 100 years. We are also in profit for the last four years. Last year alone, we made a profit of about Rs. 120 million," said GM Airi.