Experts call on interactive media role for elections

Media experts have called for a more interactive role of the media regarding the candidates and political parties at the time of elections.

During an interaction program organized on Tuesday by the Press Council Nepal with the Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Recommendation Committee, experts argued that it was the Press Council Nepal to carry out the monitoring job of the media content and its impartiality.

On the occasion, former Chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Kishore Nepal said the code of conduct to be issued by the Council should be amended adding that the latter should play a role to make the media more interactive by remaining within the discipline of conduct.

Nepal also questioned the structure of the formation of the Council and added that such structure is under question for its performance and effectiveness. Journalist Nepal suggested that the Council should be run under the Federal Parliament.

Likewise, former Acting Chair of Council Kishor Shrestha argued that journalists themselves should be cautioned for balanced content dissemination.

"The Election Code of Conduct, 2079 has been prevented the poll survey. The media and journalists should be cautioned to this end," Shrestha argued.

Likewise, former Acting Chair of Council Gopal Budhathoki said that journalists should embrace restraint to abide by the code of conduct and for self-regulation.

Former Chairman of FNJ Bishnu Nisthuri said the media should not cross the limit of free press adding that the FNJ and Council to facilitate in case the media and journalists crossed the limit of journalistic and media principles. "The media house and journalists should be made responsible," he added.

Similarly, former Chair of FNJ Taranath Dahal said appropriate candidates emerge victorious in the polls as the media play a more interactive role adding that the media should inform the voters about the candidates and political parties without any bias.

Also speaking at the event, another former FNJ Chairman Dr. Mahendra Bista asked the media to run an open debate on the election. He also suggested that the Council should not work to curtail the freedom of the press and freedom of expression. A free press should be encouraged as far as possible, Dr. Bista added.

Likewise, FNJ Chairman Bipul Pokharel pointed out the need for guidelines for the media houses for elections. He viewed that the election code of conduct prepared by the Election Commission was intended at curtailing press freedom and added that fair debate in the media should not be discouraged.

On the occasion, Council Chairman Bal Krishna Basnet said experts' views were crucial for monitoring and promised to move ahead as per the experts' recommendations.

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