KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has vowed to protect and promote press freedom along with the implementation of laws and minimization of harm in the digital sphere.
Government is serious about addressing digital issues through cyber security policy and cyber awareness, Minister Sharma said while extending best wishes on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day today.
Minister Sharma reminded that the government was taking into account the concerns of active national and international organizations in terms of press freedom.
Minister Sharma also shared that the government had prioritized discussions with stakeholders including media-related organizations and subject experts while formulating laws.
“The drafts of the bills are uploaded on the ministry website to receive feedback and recommendations from the stakeholders so that the law-making process would be transparent. Government is committed to implementing RTI Act, Working Journalists’ Act and other laws to protect and promote press freedoms,” Sharma underlined.
According to her, the government would not compromise on any issues that jeopardize the professional and physical safety of journalists.
Those involved in press freedom violations would not be spared, she said, urging the media for disseminating a positive message.
In the message of best wishes, Minister Sharma stated, “I extend my heartfelt tributes to those who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom of press and expression. I also pay high respect to those injured in the press freedom movement.”
In 1993, the UN General Assembly had declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day at the call of UNESCO.
Since then, the Day is observed across the globe, including Nepal. The government Spokesperson argued that freedom of the press and expression is the lifeline of democracy.
The constitution has mentioned ‘full press freedom’ in the very preamble. The government is devoted to making and reviewing relevant laws on press and media, the Minister mentioned.
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