Communication Minister Dr Timilsina stresses curb on misinformation

Kathmandu, April 23: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dr Bikram Timilsina, has reiterated government commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression. 

"Government is clear on its sand for promotion of free press and freedom of expression. Even the media sector should be responsible for it," he said during a discussion with a delegation of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) at the ministry on Thursday. The discussion dwelt on press freedom, responsible journalism, curb on misuse of social networking sites, transparency in government advertisement policy and rights of working journalists. 

Factual, credible and balanced news is essential at present, Minister Dr Timilsina reminded the delegation, adding that spread of biased, fake and misleading information is a severe concern. Such trend is taking a huge toll on entire society, according to him.

The Minister informed that the ministry was receiving complaints on spread of misinformation and misleading content that contribute to character assassination. In his opinion, publication and dissemination of such contents is detrimental to social, entrepreneurial and mental aspects of people. So, further responsibility is warranted from journalists and content producers as well, he stressed.

"Everyone needs to be aware and responsible for the contents he/she makes. One's exercise of free speech must be sensitive if it jeopardizes others' rights," the Minister reminded. Journalism has a leading role to curb fake, baseless and exaggerated information.

The Minister also sought a leading role of FNJ in making journalism accountable with self-regulation. Journalism based on fact is the foundation of credibility.

He also viewed journalists themselves were aware how opaque the earlier policy of distributing government advertisements was. It would be studied in depth again and decision forwarded accordingly. The government, however, does not stop distribution of public welfare advertisements, but makes it further systematic. 

During the discussion, FNJ Chair Nirmala Sharma viewed legal and institutional reforms were awaited in journalism sector. FNJ is for effective enforcement of Working Journalists Act and incorporation of journalists in social security fund. In her opinion, Press Council Nepal could be made stronger to regulate media and social media in terms of free speech. 

FNJ General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal shared the plight that as government stopped providing advertisements to private media, media persons/entrepreneurs were facing crisis. A fair investigation is essential on financial irregularities involving distribution of government advertisements, he reinforced. (RSS)