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Media Should Practice Impartiality
The readers have felt that Nepalese media has shied away from professional ethics since the royal take over on October 4, 2002 “MEDIA POWER: At A Critical Juncture” (SPOTLIGHT January 6). They seem to have forgotten basic doctrines of journalism such as impartiality and objectivity. They have started taking sides of certain power centers rather than standing firm on professional ethics. You have raised these issues very analytically and convincingly in this issue. I think it is high time that the media people ought to pay heed to people’s call for impartial and responsible coverage.
Sheela Acharya
Naya Bazar
Unfair Practice
You have raised a very relevant issue that media is clearly divided into two sides and it is hard to get objective information from them at present, through your cover story “MEDIA POWER: At A Critical Juncture” (SPOTLIGHT January 6). Not to mention the prioritization of news, there is a wide contrast in the information provided even of the same event, in state owned media and private media. They choose the issues that suit their interest rather than giving information that are useful to the audience. To make matters worse, often the news items are distorted to match their interest. This practice is very unfair to the public. They deserve the right to proper information.
Rudra Chapagain
Kalimati
Work For An Accountable Media
The Nepalese media has become quite irresponsible lately “MEDIA POWER: At A Critical Juncture” (SPOTLIGHT January 6). Even a proper mechanism to control the media does not seem to be in place at present. While the impact the media has on the society is clear to all, who the media is accountable to is still not clear. Journalists and media houses themselves are expected to be responsible for the matter they cover. But, at present, they are not working responsibly. They are not thinking much about what effect their coverage will have on society both in the long term and short term. Interestingly, media highlights positive impact of its previous coverage itself, but shuts its eyes to the adverse activities induced by its coverage. So, the professional organizations, the government and the journalists themselves should start thinking about how the media can be made more accountable for its coverage.
Bikash Pradhan
Tripureshwore
Shame On Us
It is a shame on us all to boast ourselves as one of the richest countries in water resources when we are facing acute power shortage as well as shortage of drinking water “The Plan Will Have Short Term, Middle Term And Long Term Strategy On Water Resources Development” (SPOTLIGHT January 6). I read the interview with the assistant minister for water resources Binod Kumar Shaha. He has attempted to give some explanations defending the load shedding the people are facing nowadays and has revealed some strategies for power supplies in the future. But people are tired of hearing such assurances. It is now time to work seriously than paying mere lip service. The government should work on all the short term, mid term and long term strategies for power supplies so that the future generation will not suffer from the kinds of problems we are suffering now.
Hira Regmi
Koteshwore
Government’s Failure
I have a different point of view regarding the withdrawal of the unilateral ceasefire by the Maoists “MAOIST TRUCE WITHDRAWAL: The Great Game” (SPOTLIGHT January 6). The end of the truce might have given the government some relief in that it will face fewer criticisms for its armed operations, but it will add more sufferings to the public. The government has failed to understand the intensity of the Maoist problem in rural areas of the country. It has also exposed its superficial opinion regarding the Maoists. The activities of the Maoists are certainly uncivilized, but we should not ignore the fact that such activities were ignited because of social evils prevailing in our society. To put it more simply, their activities are desperate means for social justice. The government has persistently ignored this fact and tried to prove that the Maoists are evils at heart. The government’s reluctance to reciprocate the truce has forced them to end the truce. The government might have ‘heaved a sigh of relief’, as you have put it, but the people have started to agonize. If the government wants the welfare of the people it should immediately initiate for peaceful measures to end violence, for the sake of people if not for the Maoists.
Kedar Nepal
Samakhusi
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