LALITPUR: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana has emphasized the crucial role of a free press and informed citizens in protecting and strengthening democracy, urging all stakeholders to defend press freedom.
Speaking at the Lomanthang International Media Summit organized by the Nepal Press Union in Lalitpur today, Minister Rana said democracy is inconceivable without a free press, adding that freedom of speech, expression, and the media are foundational pillars of democratic governance.
“A democratic, prosperous, and inclusive society can only be built through guaranteed freedom of expression and press,” she stated, reaffirming the government’s full commitment to upholding press freedom.
She highlighted that Nepal’s constitution guarantees press freedom not only as a fundamental right but also in its preamble, underscoring its deep-rooted importance in the country’s democratic framework.
Dr. Rana also pointed to current challenges facing democracy, including a growing erosion of public trust in democratic institutions. In such times, she said, the media must play a key role in restoring public confidence and defending civil liberties.
She called on journalists to strictly follow their professional code of conduct and avoid the spread of misinformation and disinformation, which she warned pose serious threats to democracy and social harmony.
Encouraging the media to build a better society through truthful and reliable reporting, Dr. Rana also expressed appreciation to the summit organizers for including climate change as a discussion topic. Noting Nepal’s growing vulnerability to climate impacts, she announced that the country will host the “Sagarmatha Sambad,” a global dialogue on climate change, in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18.
She said the dialogue would serve as a milestone in raising international awareness about Nepal’s climate challenges and in advancing its advocacy for climate justice.
Appealing to both national and international media, she urged journalists to amplify Nepal’s voice on the global stage. “I sincerely request journalist friends from across the world to support Nepal’s advocacy for climate justice,” she said.
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