Fruitful Inter-Action
THE Nepalese media sector has seen tremendous growth in recent times. Not
only has there been a huge growth in the number of publications and even FM radio
stations, but it is encouraging to see the gradual development of professionalism in this
sector as well. However, the mushroom like growth in the number of publications, has not
been in the interest of those newspapers themselves. Considering the limited market in the
Nepalese media sector, it is a tough uphill task just to survive with a healthy financial
condition. What most private sector newspapers feel is that, they can be economically
viable if the notices and advertisements of the government and government owned
institutions, are fairly distributed to the privately owned publications. This is quite
true, but at the same time publications should also maintain certain standards regarding
circulation, regularity and quality before expecting such facilities. Participants at a
one-day inter-action programme organised by the Department of Information the other day,
had argued that the government must change its attitude while disbursing such government
notices. The participants also called on government departments to be more transparent and
they asked government spokesmen to be more answerable to the press.
There is no doubt that a democratic government, which has been elected by the
people, has to be accountable in its functioning and the people must be well informed of
its various activities. Yet, like mentioned by the spokesman of the Ministry of
Information, the media should also understand that the government spokesmen are not
evasive or silent because they do not want to speak to the press. Many times, such
officials have not been well briefed themselves and they have also not been advised of
their functions and limitations. In this regard, politicians in power must change their
attitude and allow the government spokespersons to inform the press and through them the
people, about government activities. It is true that the private media in Nepal requires
government assistance if they are to professionally institutionalise themselves. But at
the same time, the media people must also learn to be more competitive and self sustaining
in their own ways. Government dependence will not allow them to grow in an independent and
free manner. It can be hoped, inter-action programmes like the one organised by the
Information Department, will create ways for the government and the private press to
function with more cooperation for the benefit of both the sides and for the overall
development of the nation.
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