Press Council Nepal urges media to be fair and responsible during election period

Kathmandu, Feb 24: The Press Council Nepal has urged the media to be completely impartial and accountable during the election period.     

The PCN, which regularly monitors the mass media within the country, has recalled that, as in the past, it is also conducting special monitoring on whether the code of conduct for journalists and other election codes of conduct were followed in the House of Representatives election 2082.     

The Council has expressed serious concern over the recent dissemination of content from some media outlets in the style of opinion polls, labelling it as 'electoral analysis', 'special report', 'survey', which includes the names of political parties and candidates in a manner likely to influence votes.     

Issuing a statement on Monday, the Council noted that news content with titles suggesting that so and so candidate will win, so and so candidate is far ahead, voters attracted towards the new parties, such and such party have created a wave of public support in their favour while so and so parties have not, so and so candidate in the danger zone, has been published influencing citizens' sentiments, misleading the general electorate.     

The Council stated that it has taken such content into notice, labeling them as adversely affecting a clean and fair election and appearing contrary to the code of conduct.     

Council joint-spokesperson Ramsharan Bohara stated that in the name of press freedom, media and journalists engaged in such an important profession like journalism must remain neutral and impartial, and in this important historical context, they need to be more dignified, responsible and accountable, while being aware that the content disseminated can benefit or harm someone.     

The Council has urged the media, along with various state agencies, to play a special role in making the election successful by disseminating content in a healthy, clean, independent, dignified, impartial and balanced manner within the framework of the code of conduct.     

Voters have been urged to respect their discretion, freedom, and the secrecy of their vote, and to refrain from actions or the dissemination of materials that could adversely affect a free and fair election or influence votes.(RSS)