KATHMANDU: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing the media sector and ensuring the well-being of working journalists during her address at the 27th general convention of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ).
Minister Sharma informed attendees that the government is actively considering proposals to increase the minimum wage for journalists, which has remained unchanged for the past six years.
She expressed confidence that implementing such proposed laws and decisions would lead to significant restructuring in Nepal’s mass communication and journalism sectors.
Emphasizing the importance of the convention, Minister Sharma stated that it provides an opportunity to review the performance of the previous executive committee and offer guidelines to the new leadership, as well as to make concrete policy-level decisions.
She praised the FNJ for its tireless efforts in promoting journalists’ rights, safeguarding press freedom, and contributing to the country’s transition to a republican governance system.
Minister Sharma underscored the intertwined nature of political and press freedoms, noting their critical roles in driving significant political changes in Nepal.
She emphasized the need for both sectors to work together to establish and uphold these fundamental rights, ultimately leading to positive changes in people’s lives.
Regarding press freedom, Minister Sharma emphasized the importance of practical implementation of constitutional provisions and ongoing efforts to create and review communication-related laws to further ensure press freedom.
She revealed that the government is prioritizing the drafting of laws in consultation with media-related organizations and experts, as well as through transparent and democratic processes involving stakeholders and citizens.
Minister Sharma outlined several legislative initiatives aimed at promoting self-regulation in the media sector, regulating social media usage, and enhancing the autonomy and effectiveness of government-owned media.
She also highlighted ongoing discussions on formulating a new mass media policy to address emerging challenges in the sector.
Recognizing the challenges faced by the media sector, particularly amid the global economic slowdown and the spread of false information, Minister Sharma assured ongoing government support to facilitate media operations and ensure the safety of journalists.
Discussions are underway on initiatives such as establishing the media as a national industry and enhancing transparency in the advertising market.
Overall, Minister Sharma affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with the FNJ and other stakeholders to advance the journalism sector’s development and address its current challenges.
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