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BOOK REVIEW |
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BOOK REVIEW |
Media Manual An expert surveys the
evolution of Nepal's mass media and illustrates its constitutional underpinnings By A CORESSPONDENT During the five-decade history of the
Nepalese mass media, one sees many ups and owns in areas ranging from printing technology
to constitutional and legal provisions for the sector. However, those who want to survey
the evolution of the mass media have to spend a lot of time going through scattered
information. The Nepalese media have passed through very
difficult phases of history before acquiring their present status. Between the dawn of the
democracy in 1950 and after the restoration of democracy in 1990, many events have shaped
how the Nepalese media cover and comment on events and ideas. One of the important features of "Mass
Media and Law" is its amalgamation of the theory and practices of the media as well
as the legal and constitutional realities that underpin the sector. Thanks the efforts of Dahal, one can find
almost every aspect of the legal and constitutional evolution of the Nepalese press in one
book. Published in Nepali, the book would also be of immense help to students raised in an
era where news and views have become an integral fact of life. The book begins with an analysis of mass
communication and journalism. In this chapter, Dahal discusses the basic principles of
mass communication and journalism, with special reference to the challenges faced by Third
World countries. Every country has its own constitution and
laws that go on to determine the character and limitations of its media. Dahal explains
freedom of the press and its underlying principles by giving copious references to various
countries. He also discusses international conventions that govern the freedom of the
press and its practice. In the third chapter, Dahal explains the right to information in
Nepal and the constitutional and legal provisions describing the constraints and
limitations the media face. In dealing with the development of press
laws and journalism in Nepal, Dahal discusses various phases of the history of journalism.
He explains the state of journalism during the period of Rana regime, after the dawn of
democracy, the Panchayat period and following the restoration of democracy in 1990. Writing on the history of media law, Dahal
has compiled court verdicts delivered over the years on matters of freedom of the press
and of expression. Dahal includes the historic verdict delivered by the Supreme Court
defending the importance of individual freedom in the case of Dr. K.I. Singh. The book
provides an overview of news agencies, mass media professional organizations, the Press
Council and journalists' code of conduct. Dahal discusses salient features of the
Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 that relate to the media and how the basic law
has guaranteed the people's right to information. Although it is a compilation of
media laws and an overview of how the sector has evolved, the book is based on a cogent
analytical method. The author compares the process of
evolution with the new principles that have come to govern and affect the media in recent
years. Despite minor lapses, the book is at once a useful compendium of constitutional and
legal documents and a snapshot of the evolution of the media in Nepal. Mass Media and Law |
Send your feedback to the
editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
