KATHMANDU: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, emphasised that the primary responsibility of the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) organisation is to uphold the public’s right to information while embracing inclusivity.
He underlined the need for PSB to reflect the nation’s diversity and remain citizen-focused.
Speaking at a pre-launching ceremony of PSB on Tuesday, hosted at the former Nepal Television premises, Minister Gurung highlighted that the PSB must act as a mirror of inclusivity and equality, showcasing the diversity of all communities, languages, ethnicities and regions of Nepal.
Minister Gurung, who is also the government spokesperson, urged PSB to curate its content to foster unity within diversity, thereby contributing to a cohesive nation-building process.
Minister Gurung stressed that the PSB must fulfill its obligation by guaranteeing the people’s right to information without serving as a tool of the ruling power or of the state only.
He expressed confidence that the PSB would operate on the principles of inclusivity, equality, and participatory governance.
The Minister further stated that PSB must amplify the voices of people from remote and underprivileged regions. Referring to the integration of Radio Nepal and Nepal Television into the PSB framework, he called for reforms in their operations to make them more relevant to contemporary needs.
He also urged PSB to hold the government accountable and act as a catalyst for good governance.
“Our society is multi-lingual, multi-cultural, and multi-ethnic, and PSB must encompass the sentiments of all,” said Minister Gurung. “People from Dailekh’s Raute community to Madhesi residents in the southern plains must have equal access to radio and television. Only then will PSB’s purpose be truly meaningful,” claimed Minister Gurung.
He encouraged the development of a culture of delivering accurate information to the public while promoting factual criticism of government policies.
Minister Gurung noted that historically, public service broadcasting institutions in Nepal had developed a reputation for serving political regimes or individual interests, largely due to legal and operational challenges.
He accused Radio Nepal of toeing the Panchayat line for three decades and highlighted its struggle with accusations of spreading misinformation due to its inability to deliver impartial content.
He acknowledged that previous attempts to reform the organisation, including through recommendations from committees during periods of constitutional drafting, blockades, and earthquakes, were hindered by other priorities. However, he expressed optimism that the PSB, established under the leadership of the KP Sharma Oli government, would now move forward in the direction of meaningful reform.
Minister Gurung emphasised the necessity for PSB to strive for excellence. “Although PSB may not be able to provide global information services, it must ensure comprehensive news coverage throughout Nepal,” he said.
He concluded by calling for the development of Radio Nepal and Nepal Television into institutions that reach every household in the country, adhering to PSB principles while reflecting Nepal’s unique characteristics.
The PSB pre-launching programme that kicked off on Tuesday will continue until January 16. On the occasion, different sessions regarding PSB’s model would be organised. On the first day, political discourse among political leaders concluded.
