Press Freedom Day
THE media has a very responsible role to play in a democratic set-up. In a
country like Nepal, which is striving hard to ensure development and also the
consolidation of a fledgling democracy, the media has an even more vital role to play. It
is a matter of great pride to all Nepalese media people that they had played an
instrumental role in the re-ushering in of democracy in the country a little over a decade
back. So it was only fitting that, as all Nepalese journalists observed the Press Freedom
Day the other day, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said that journalists have to be
more responsible in their duties In the present context when the hard won democracy is at
stake. He was speaking at a talk programme organised by the Nepal Journalist Federation to
mark the special occasion. It is true, the country is going through a difficult phase,
specially in terms of the Maoist insurgency that has ravaged many districts of the country
since the past couple of years. It has also been seen that the government needs the
cooperation of all, including the media, to counter this threat. It is pragmatic of Prime
Minister Koirala to have sought consensus of even the opposition parties in dealing with
the insurgency and other problems faced by the nation.
Meanwhile, speaking on the same occasion, Minister for Information and
Communication Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta informed that the government would not make any
delay in formulating laws related to the free flow of information. This must have been
very encouraging for all the journalists, specially those who have been complaining that
information is still being withheld by certain government institutions. The authorities
must remember that the government and the media should work hand in hand, as mentioned by
PM Koirala, to tackle the various problems of the people. For this, it is a must for
government agencies to work in a transparent way and also provide information to the press
people when they ask for it. But at the same time, it is also true that some media people
have not properly utilised the freedom that they enjoy in the present democratic system.
Such irresponsible behaviour of some press people, could prove to be a hindrance in the
smooth relations between the press and the government. On this solemn occasion, both the
government and the media should pledge to sincerely work for democracy and the welfare of
the people.
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