Kathmandu, Sept 28: Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said on Saturday that the present government was not in favour of controlling the social media or the mass communications media.
Initiating the dainikonline.com run by the 'A and A' Kathmandu Media Pvt Ltd here, the ruling NCP chairman urged one and all not to worry about the matter as the constitution itself has guaranteed full press freedom.
"The government will not make any laws restricting the Press. We are in favour of full press freedom. Laws restricting the Press do not last and we are not for controlling the Press," he asserted.
Giving assurances that the Media Council Bill that is presented in the federal parliament would be revised, the former Prime Minister expressed the determination to make the bill in line with the spirit of the constitution. He however added that freedom does not mean anarchy and the journalism fraternity itself should be self-regulated through discussions.
"At present, some social media and online have become such that they cannot be read or watched or listened to due to the presentation of such content. This tendency should be defeated with the norms of civilization," NCP Chair Dahal said and called on the media world to work for strengthening the national unity and cultural bonds, and consolidating them and not dividing it. He expressed his concern that some media have crossed the minimum standard while expressing their views.
NCP Chair Dahal underscored that the media persons themselves should discourage the wrong tendencies. "Those in the leadership are harassed when their names are linked with false matters. Journalists, please mind, what is the condition of the leaders," he said, referring to the negative comments and posts related to the leaders that appear in the social media. He called these types of materials as false publicity.
The NCP Chair also called on the media to defeat such activities that are directed against subverting the achievements secured through people's struggle and that are inimical to people's aspiration.
"The media should defend the social, cultural and political anomalies by getting into the truth and being based on the truth" he reiterated.
NCP general secretary Bishnu Poudel expressed that his party would not make any laws restricting the press freedom.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giri Raj Mani Pokharel said journalism based on truth and facts was the need of the day. He urged the media fraternity to consider their professional ethics and morality while practicing their profession.
NCP standing committee member Lilamani Poudel expressed the belief that the Dainikonline would be successful in ending the anarchic situation seen in the journalism sector.
Former minister and NCP central member Rekha Sharma urged the Dainikonline to practice its profession without any bias and prejudice and to win the people's hearts by disseminating truthful and balanced news and views.
Vice president of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Dilip Thapa expressed the belief that Dainikonline will create a new dimension in Nepal's journalism.
Dainikonline's editor Ujaya GM said they would disseminate news based on facts and evidence and move ahead the online journalism being based on the existing norms and values of journalism.
Dainikonline's Chairman, Pawan Regmi said they would always stand on the side of truth and professionalism and contribute in nation building task.