Robust Public Media

Today, The Rising Nepal reaches its 61st year, setting a new milestone in Nepali journalism. The birth of TRN heralded a new era marked by a tumultuous political scenario at home and abroad. TRN came not just to fulfil the need of elite readers, who were versed in English and keen to read news from the nook and cranny of the nation and beyond. But the launching of TRN was a national necessity irrespective of the political imperatives of the time.

TRN was and is poised to set journalist standards since its first copy hit the newsstand. This has been well illustrated in its first editorial that also provides insight into the national and international realities that shaped the paper’s intention and orientation. One cardinal goal of TRN is to build a common national identity. This requires spreading collective consciousness and defending the shared interests of the people. ‘We shall attempt to give expression to those views which appear to us national rather than sectional. But the national point of view will be expressed not through the suppression of sectional elements, but through their harmonisation,” states its first editorial.

Promoting national views, not sectional ones, implies that TRN rises above the partisan and parochial interest. Nonetheless, this does not mean the pioneering daily gives short shrift to the sectional viewpoint. They come in second priority, with national thinking and approach taking precedence. As said in the editorial, it does not suppress the diverse opinions. Stress on the harmonisation of varied ideas manifests the editorial freedom and democratic approach in the newsroom.

Today, print media faces an existential crisis due to the evolution of internet-driven social media. Of course, new and digital media have broadened the journalism landscape. But they are not without serious pitfalls. Readers and viewers are often misled as they fail to sift fact from fiction. Fake news, disinformation, misinformation, hate speech and character assassination are some vices afflicting the digital space.  This is where TRN counts for the readers and audiences. 

TRN has earned credibility for disseminating factual, balanced and objective news and views. It can act as a robust public media. Unlike the private media outlets, it has become a 'public sphere,' giving space to divergent thoughts and philosophies. This is a reason why readers have unflinching faith in the national English daily. The very trust is also a source of motivation for the TRN staff. This also inspires them to maintain professional ethics and norms in their daily duties.

TRN embodies the national vision of English journalism in the country. The state agencies and their leadership should also treat it accordingly. For the sustenance of any entity, it requires timely reforms and adaptation. As TRN marks its 61st anniversary, it is in urgent need of induction of fresh hands and modernisation of the entire newsroom. 

We are in a digital era, with Artificial Intelligence overstepping the human domain. This is both a challenge and an opportunity. Priority should be shifted to the digital edition of the paper. Investment in digital infrastructure and human resources enables the paper to smoothly sail in the competitive media market.  It has certain limitations unlike the private media houses, but these constraints must not be an excuse for the editors and reporters to shirk their defined responsibility. The editorial team can engage in an innovative venture only with the strong backing of the administration and higher authorities. May TRN Day inspire us to lay another building block for its many successful years to come.