न्यूज अभियान
हरेक खबर विशेष खबर

Kathmandu, Aug 20: Minister for Information and Communications, Dr Bikram Timilsina, has said the public service broadcasting (PSB) entities- Nepal Television and Radio Nepal- must be professional, competitive, effective and accountable to the people. Minister Dr Timilsina stressed that all public institutions which are slow off the mark need improving for efficient services.

The Minister said it while garnering information about the budget and programmes set by the PSB entities for the current fiscal year. He said PSB entities should focus on their major objectives. "Media is currently expanding rapidly on digital platforms and social media, so Nepal Television and Radio Nepal can also augment quality of their contents with vibrant digital presence.

Minister Dr Timilsina directed the concerned officials to achieve best results with utmost use of available means and resources. Integration of administration and accounting departments of Nepal Television and Radio Nepal could be an option for transformation, he suggested. He urged the officials to keep in centre the institutional interests. 

"Once the institution is strengthened, it ensures benefit to everyone. So, only pouring money by State into the institution cannot be a sustainable measure to achieve its objectives," the Minister reminded.

He further expected impartial, factual and objective news stories from PSB. The materials under political influence or biasness should not be broadcast, he said, directing the PSB officials to produce news and programmes that keep in centre the citizens. Investigative and public interest materials deserve equal priority, Dr Timilsina added. 

The Minister also made aware the PSB entities to play role in curbing the misleading information that is spread specially through social media. Dissemination of early warning, information on relief and rescue on disasters are other priorities. 

He pledged government support in developing PSB as a capable organization.

Joint secretary at the Ministry and member of the PSB, Ravi Lal Sharma, also spoke on need for new thoughts and programmes. The annual audit of the organization should be accomplished on time, he added. 

Acting Chairperson of PSB, Urbashi Bashnyat, shared that she was making utmost effort to bolster image of PSB entities.