Republic has no alternative: Minister Sharma

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has said an individual's wrongdoing cannot be equated to the wrongdoing of the system.

Addressing a programme organized by Community Information Network (CIN) on the occasion of the Republic Day, Minister Sharma, who is also the spokesperson of the government, said that although some people holding public positions are involved in illegal activities, the entire republic system cannot be blamed and tarnished.

"Republic has no alternative, but republic," she underscored, adding that celebrating Republic is not like that of celebration of the kings' birthdays in the past. Spokesperson Sharma reminded that the system has the provision to book those who worked illegally.

The government is observing Republic Day for three days this year so that general citizens would feel ownership of it.

On a different note, the government spokesperson expressed doubt over the secured future of radio, television and print media due to aggressively developing technology. She, however, argued once the media producing quality and contextual content focusing on people's problems would sustain longer.

Chair of Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee of the National Assembly Prakash Pantha viewed that good governance is maintained when the stories of backward people and community are brought to light. Transparency makes the government more accountable, he added.

Chair of the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Arjun Giri stressed the need for protecting radio. Radio was the close friend of the community during the disaster, Giri reminded. He blamed that community radios were facing a crisis due to governments' policy failure.

Chair of the National Dalit Commission Devraj Bishwokarma has said the government was yet to bring the programmes to the mainstream Dalit community.

Chief Information Commissioner Mahendra Man Gurung thanked CIN for covering news of far-flung places.

Senior advocate and constitution expert Dr Chandra Kant Gyawali said media persons should pay heed to privacy while carrying out their profession.

FNJ Chair Bipul Pokharel said time has come to protect the radio, as it is facing a problem.