Kathmandu, Feb 23: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dr Yubraj Khatiwada, has urged media to disseminate positive message to build civilized society.

Assuming the office of the Communications Ministry today, Khatiwada, also the Finance Minister, stressed the need of taking the activities of the government among the people. He pointed out the need of collaboration between the government and media to head the country towards the path of economic, social and cultural developments along with constitution implementation.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari had entrusted the responsibility of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to Dr Khatiwada on the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after Communications Minister Banskota resigned from the post on Thursday. Banskota resigned from the post following the leak of an audiotape, in which, he was heard demanding commission in security press purchase process.

Communications Minister Khatiwada said, "Some bills related to communications are in the offing. They would be brought only after holding ample discussion. Coordination between the government and media is necessary to make democracy strong along with full implementation of the federalism."

Saying people's right to information should be guaranteed and media should promote it, he appealed to the media to broadcast and publish only trustworthy news by maintaining discipline and accountability towards the general people. Minister Khatiwada mentioned, "The bodies of the state should be made transparent through the information technology which would help build prosperous and equitable society."