LALITPUR: Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina has said the government remains fully committed to protecting press freedom and constitutional rights to expression, describing free media as a cornerstone of democracy.
Inaugurating a national conference on “Press Freedom in Changing Circumstances: Media Law and Responsible Journalism” organised by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in Lalitpur on Sunday, he said there are no restrictions on press freedom and that the state continues to safeguard and promote media rights.
Timilsina urged FNJ to engage in constructive dialogue, stating that the government is ready to address challenges in the media sector through a comprehensive approach rather than protests or isolated demands. He said all channels of communication remain open and rejected claims that dialogue has been closed.
Emphasising accountability, he said the media should regularly scrutinise government work, but stressed that reporting must be grounded in facts, evidence and professional ethics.
“The government must remain accountable. The media can question it, but it has to be based on truth and responsibility,” he said.
He also called for clearer separation between verified news, misinformation and deliberately false content, adding that cooperation between the government and FNJ is necessary to strengthen responsible journalism.
Describing journalism as the fourth pillar of democracy, the minister said efforts are underway to make the sector more professional, credible and institutionalised. He also urged media organisations to uphold ethical standards and social responsibility.
Timilsina said the government has acted on the misuse of state advertising and noted that the media sector’s challenges extend beyond a single issue. He said long-term solutions require coordinated reforms in advertising policy, media sustainability, legal frameworks, journalists’ security and institutional development.
He encouraged FNJ to prioritise dialogue over protests and said the government is open to reform-oriented suggestions.
He also noted that media houses dependent solely on government advertising may face limitations in effectively holding authorities accountable, highlighting the need for financial sustainability to ensure quality journalism.
Timilsina informed that the Minimum Wage Determination Committee has been dissolved due to limited effectiveness, with alternative mechanisms to be considered if necessary.
He concluded by urging the media sector to promote balanced and factual reporting to help counter rising negative narratives in society.
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