KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel has called on the media to play a balanced role in pointing out government shortcomings while also disseminating positive achievements to the public.
Addressing the 27th annual general meeting and convention of the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON) on Saturday, Paudel said the media must function with both critical and constructive perspectives.
“It is the duty of the press to clearly expose policy flaws or weaknesses in implementation to the people,” Paudel said. “At the same time, it is equally important to inform citizens about the government’s achievements and works carried out in the public interest.”
Highlighting the importance of economic journalism, the Finance Minister said the role of journalists is indispensable in strengthening the national economy.
At the event, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal said the country’s economy had been impacted by the Covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict but noted that gradual improvements were now visible. He said the private sector had been consistently engaging with the government on necessary legal and practical reforms but weak implementation had prevented the desired results.
Similarly, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) President Birendra Raj Pandey said his organization was studying investment requirements across sectors and would recommend policy and legal reforms to help revive the economy.
Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal observed that while economic indicators were slowly improving, the private sector was still hesitant to invest. He stressed the need for the government to implement the recommendations of the High-Level Economic Reform Advisory Commission.
Former SEJON presidents also shared their views on challenges facing the media sector, the need to maintain journalistic quality, and the importance of investigative reporting in economic affairs. The convention will also elect a new leadership for SEJON.
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