“The Government Should Ensure Implementation Of The Acts”
Raghu Panta
Having a long experience in media, CPN-UML Central Committee member RAGHU PANTA is now a member of Legislative-Parliament where he heads the Environment, Communication and Technology Committee. After a long gap, parliament has passed two bills, one is related to Working Journalist and another is related to Right to Information and Panta worked as a head of bill reform committee and was behind their passage. Panta spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues related with the new acts. Excerpt:
Do you think the elections for Constituent Assembly will be held?
We must hold the elections for CA on schedule. If we cannot hold elections, it will not only be the failure of eight political parties but failure of all the people who believe in Loktantrik system. It will create more trouble and uncertainty in the country. For this, eight political parties who are in power have greater responsibility. I hope that we can hold the elections if we remain united.
How do you hold the elections when there is rampant violence in terai and Maoists are demanding declaring republic before the poll?
After their recent national meetings, Maoists seem to have back-tracked from their earlier commitments. Maoists’ two conditions on proportional representation and declaration of republic from the parliament are directed to push the elections for CA farther. If they are really committed, they should have followed CPN-UML's two stands when we engaged in negotiations (on interim constitution). Now the Maoists cannot go beyond their commitment. In his first public interview, Prachanda said that they would accept the verdict of the people given through the elections of Constituent Assembly. It is for the people of Nepal to decide whether they want monarchy or not. If Maoist leader Prachanda is really sincere to his commitment, he must show political honesty abiding by his own commitments.
What is the response of your party?
Our party holds the view that this decision of Maoist is to preempt the elections for Constituent Assembly.
As a member of parliament involved in reforming two bills - right to information and working journalist - how did you try to make them effective?
The bill regarding Right to Information and Working Journalist Act (First Amendment) were two important bills tabled in the parliament during this session. After long and intensive discussions, members of our committee asked me to be a coordinator of the committee to make necessary changes and amendments on both the bills. I am happy to say that the amendments and suggestions given by my sub-committee were accepted by full committee. Later on, parliament passed the bill incorporating all our suggestions and amendments. Both the bills have their own values.
What are the major highlights of Right to Information Act?
We have been raising the concern regarding the need of Right to Information Act since the political change of 1990. Finally, we were able to pass it. This bill is not only related to press but also the common citizens of Nepal who can now have access to almost all information of the state. The bill empowers common citizens of Nepal. This will strengthen the fundamental rights of the citizens. This act will guarantee the fundamental rights of the citizens. More will we practice, more the people will be empowered. After the constitution of Nepal, this act is another milestone.
How do you see the Working Journalist Act?
This act is aimed at guaranteeing the jobs of working journalists of Nepal. It is related to the rights and duties of working journalists. At present, most of the broadsheet dailies are in a position to provide some kinds of facilities to journalists, trade unions and other workers working under such media house. The management and investors of such big houses must realize that it is the hard labors of journalists, employees and laborers that have contributed to make them profitable. Success and failures of any organization depends upon the hard labor and commitment of workers. One of the aims of the act is to make arrangements to share certain percent of profits between media houses and working journalist. The management of media houses must guarantee the jobs of working journalists, and their right to assemble under trade union law. Media houses must pay certain compensation to journalists and provide adequate salary. This is not a complete act and there will be need to update it. This act is a balance, as it does not intend to harm the interest of investors. The act will protect the rights of the working journalists.
Having long experiences of working in weekly tabloids youtself, do you see any possibility of implementing the act?
It is definite that small newspapers are not in a position to implement the act. The government has given prerogative whether to implement all provisions of the act or to implement some of them. This act is balanced. The government has to take initiative to implement it.
But, some of the investors of big media houses said the act is one sided and it ignores the interest of investors?
Of course, this bill is aimed to protect the interests and rights of working journalist but the act also gives certain privileges to investors and management. There is also a provision under which the management can hire 15 percent of its editorial staffs under contract.
Had you discussed this issue with the representatives of media houses?
Unfortunately, we did not have any discussion with representatives of the managers of media house. Although we invited media owners, they did not come. We also wanted to listen to them. I also hold the view that working journalists can enjoy their rights and privileges only if the media houses under which journalists work can survive. If media houses cannot survive, there is no question of protection of rights for the working journalists only. This act is not made to control the media owners but to protect all those working in the media.
How do you see the obstruction created by some trade unions in the media?
The media owners should give right to working journalists, laborers and employees and they cannot prevent the right to unite in media houses. Media houses are not only professional organization but also an industry. This is the reason every one has the right to unite to protect their rights. However, in the name of exercising their rights, workers must not obstruct the distribution of newspapers.
