Media Mission
The cover story "Role of Media and Citizenry" (SPOTLIGHT June 29) has raised a crucial issue about the role of media. In Nepal , media have not yet been subjected to tight scrutiny like other sectors of society. Till now, they have enjoyed relative freedom. However, such situation will not continue forever. Time will come when media themselves will start to raise their issues and bring into debate many important matters such as social responsibility, code of conduct and so on.
Diwakar Bista
Sanepa
Media Role
As the country is marching towards the elections of Constituent Assembly, the role of media is going to be all the more important ("Role of Media and Citizenry" SPOTLIGHT June 29). Media must shoulder the responsibility of education voters and common people about the importance of CA elections. Only educated voters can properly exercise their conscience and employ the power of discrimination to choose appropriate candidates to write their constitution. The CA election is not like the ordinary parliamentary election. As the experts have told us ad nauseum, the CA comes once in a lifetime of a nation. So this opportunity cannot be squandered at any cost.
Kumar Shakya
Naxal
Low Confidence
My confidence on the Nepalese media was sharply affected when a few years back a leading vernacular daily published news about a so-called billionaire Rashendra Bhattrai ("Role of Media and Citizenry" SPOTLIGHT June 29). After a few days Bhattarai turned out to be a fraud. Such information based on speculation misled the people and tarnished the reputation of the media. There are many incidents when Nepalese media have acted irresponsibly. The role of the media is to disseminate information to people. It should not try to give its own opinion about incidents and events. Some newspapers have already started giving their opinion about the recent accusations on the Supreme Court judge and the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. The verdict from the court has not come but according to media these people are already termed as guilty. Some of my friends say that Nepali media thrives on scandals and sensational news. Nepali media has also not been able to work independently. During King Gyanendra's rule, the media was under tight scrutiny. Now, when the Loktantra has come, the media seems to favor the eight parties. This bias of the media has also played an important role in tarnishing its reputation.
Mukesh Pradhan
Via e-mail
People in Dilemma
Although the government has fixed the date of constituent assembly elections, people are still in dilemma whether it will take place or not. The affected enthusiasm shown by the parliamentarians and leaders belie the fact that they are not in a position to conduct an election which is impartial. The government has also not launched any campaign to make people aware about the constituent assembly yet. People still don't know whom to vote for and what to vote for. The divergent views of different leaders regarding the CA polls have confused people. Some Maoist leaders have asserted in the public that until the monarchy is not abolished the CA polls cannot be conducted. Such insensible comments made by Maoist leaders and some CPN UML leaders show their reluctance to conduct the CA assembly. To conduct an impartial election security is the cardinal issue. The government has not been able to maintain security. Abductions, assassinations and violence are rife in Terai. The issues of Terai have not been properly addressed by the government. The escalation of bandhs in Terai after the CA poll's date announcement is not a good indication. The government has already failed to conduct election in June. If the political situation doesn't improve and all the dissenting groups are not reconciled, then it seems another failure is also inevitable.
Dolma Sherpa
Bouddha
Enlightening Interview
The interview of advocate and MP Radheshyam Adhikari (SPOTLIGHT June 29) was an enlightening one. He has frankly put forth his views how the eight parties are flouting rules and norms in their race to grab power and gain popularity. The second amendment of constitution and controversial provisions in it has exposed the extent to which they have gone to flout the world-accepted norms of rule of law. Adhikari has shown how helpless wise and sane people like him have become.
Laxmi Gurung
Thamel
