Media and Development

During this period, several cases are recorded as part of the development of the media, which are directly related for promotion of the press freedom ad freedom of expression. The development of media ultimately should initiate by the government and responsible organ of the state. At the same time, some related steps initiated from other sectors are also considered as a part of the media development.

Fate of the Right to Information Bill Uncertain

The draft "Right to Information Bill" is still not presented to the parliament. Formulated at the initiation of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and Nepal Press Institute (NPI), the draft bill was handed over to then Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta on 28 June 2000. Upon receiving the draft, Minister Gupta assured that the Bill would be tabled in the 18th session of the parliament as soon as necessary procedures were completed. Even after nearly two years, the bill is yet to be presented in the parliament. Even this year, Minister Gupta pledged his commitment to present and enact Right to Information Bill in 20th session of the parliament. But there was no report about the presentation of the Bill in the parliament.

The members of the bill drafting committee included President Suresh Acharya and General Secretary Tara Nath Dahal of FNJ, Gokul Pokhrel chairman of NPI, Harihar Dahal then President of Nepal Bar Association (NBA), Yubaraj Pandey director general of Department of Information and Under Secretary at the Law Ministry Ramakrishna Timalsina. The Bill was reviewed by former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana, parliamentarians Hom Raj Dahal, Raghuji Pant and Tanka Rai, then spokesperson of Supreme Court Kashi Raj Dahal and senior journalist P. Kharel.

Operation of Ministry's Websites

Ministry of Science and Technology has announced the operation of all Ministries websites within a month on 26 September 2001 to make it easier to get access over the government information. However, there is no official report about the operation. During the period of announcement, the operated websites were related to National Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Nepal Rastra Bank and few other Ministries, Departments, Nepal Police and other government agencies.

Information Bank to be established

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur announced on 26 September 2001 to establish Information Bank within this year to develop medium and higher-level human resources in the field of information technology targeting 10,000 youths. The program has been recently implemented with applications being sought. PM Deuba also announced to set up Information Science Center to work as Information Data Bank to provide employment to the youths and establish Telecommunication Center to fulfill the needs of modern telecommunication technology.

Similarly, a pre-feasibility study has begun near Tikapur, far western Nepal, to select a suitable place for the proposed Institute of Information Technology. The Institute will be established by the assistance of Indian government as per the agreement between the two countries reached during Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's visit to India from March 20-25, 2002.

Nepal Television to telecast Metro Channel

Nepal Television is planning to telecast Metro Channel in Kathmandu besides its existing National Telecast. Minister for Information and Communication Mr. J.P. Gupta put step of foundation on April 11, 2002 for the construction of Building and Tower. Government of China has financially assisted the construction work. On the occasion, Chinese ambassador U Kong Yong expressed his confidence that this forthcoming channel would give a big contribution to national, cultural and economic development of the nation. This extension project completes within a year, says Mr. Durga Nath Sharma, General Manager (NTV).

SAARC IT Centre to be established

South Asia Foundation has pointed to implement the plan of establishing SAARC IT Centre to disseminate information on cultural, scientific and social aspects in 31 languages to educate the youths at this part of the world. About 68% of the population is said to be of youths below sixteen in SAARC region.

Metro Television Telecast Started

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has commenced the test-telecast of the Metro Television from Oct 30, 2001. During 6 to 8 pm daily, broadcasting runs as a narrow casting with the help of projectors placed at five different places of the city.

Demand to establish Media Commission

Third meeting of Central body of Press Chautari, Nepal and its First National Assembly held on 8- 9 February 2002 have demanded with the government to establish "Media Commission" for the enhancement of the Nepalese media. Terror over the journalists from any side has also been extremely condemned. The meeting has warned government not to make any attempts to weaken the role of media. Also the demand of Bill on Right to Information has been strongly raised.

Nepal Chairs Press Council SAARC Chapter

World Press Council Organization has elected Mr. Harihar Birahi, President of Press Council Nepal as to chair its SAARC Chapter. On the recommendation of Convention in Turkey, secretariat of the organization had established its SAARC Chapter.

Masters degree in Journalism

Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus affiliated to Tribhuwan University, College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dhapasi and Kantipur City College affiliated to Purbanchal University have started postgraduate course on Journalism this year.

PhD in IT course

HMG government has granted permission to Institute of Information Technology, Nepal for conducting PhD course on IT collaborating with Water Loo Anterio, Canada; and IIT Banglore.

SAFMA pointed out the needs of Common Law

South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) concluded its second conference on 2 January 2002 in Kathmandu, pointing out the need of common law on media in the region. Mr. Gopal Prasad Thapaliya from Nepal and Mr. Imtiyaj Alam from Pakistan were elected Chairman and Secretary General respectively. Total 28 participants from Pakistan, 31 from India, 10 from Sri Lanka, 9 from Bangladesh, 65 from Nepal and 1 each from Maldives and Bhutan were attended in the conference.

Media Village in Kathmandu

For the distinct identity of media organizations and to make the media activities more effective and enhanced media village has been established in 14-ropani land provided by the Government at Sinamangal. HMG Department of Information and FNJ have already moved to their own building and Press Council Nepal is at the last moment of construction. It has been planned to establish Research Centre on Journalism inside its premises.

Journalists Towards Sample Town

The local journalists in western Nepal Butwal launched campaign against so called 'untouchability' and existing discrimination against oppressed community. The media community joined in the first-of-its-kind social change campaign. President of FNJ Rupandehi Binod Pahadi said, the historical movement has started from the birthplace of Lord Buddha. These journalists have also agreed to launch social awareness campaign through mobilization of media in order to establish society based on just and equality. As symbol of the campaign, the Mayor of local Municipality Bhoj Prasad Shrestha, a water expert, planted Ashok (cheerful) tree as initiation of the "liberation against untouchability" and named it as the 'liberation tree".

Mother-Sister-Daughter: Nepal's press on Women in the capital

To commemorate the 92nd International Women's Day, Sancharika Samuha on March 13,2002 launched a book titled Mother-Sister-Daughter: Nepal's press on Women in the capital. The book, which was released by Minister for Information and Communication (MOIC) Jaya Prakash Gupta is a snapshot of the Nepali Print media's recent reportage of women-feature articles, news and opinion. Reviewing the Book Dr. Arzu said that stories in the book said that stories in the book highlights the failure of implementation of laws relating to gender discrimination and women. The book divided into six chapters' addresses issues like the society, culture, women's health, discrimination, and violence against women, empowerment and opinion.

At the same program, the award presentation of the winner of the Investigative journalism Competition Girl's Right and Social Responsibility was held. Minister Gupta honored the three winners with certificates and cash prizes. Sancharika Samuha is a women communicator's group, established in 1996 by a group of women media professionals concerned by the lack of gender perspective in the media.

Nepal and Pakistan agree to expand Media Cooperation

Pakistan and Nepal have agreed in principle to enhance their bilateral co-operation in the field of print and broadcast media to their mutual advantage. Minister for Information and Communications (MOIC) Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta and Pakistan's Minister for Information and media development, Nisar A. Memom at a meeting on March 9, 2002 in Pakistan agreed to encourage exchange of media delegations and to enhance technical co-operation among the media organizations of their respective countries. During the meeting, the two ministers also discussed various aspects of the existing cooperation in the field of broadcast and print media and expressed satisfaction over the ongoing exchanges among the relevant agencies of the two countries, according to the paper.