Stating that such an initiative had become necessary to maintain quality and professional standards in mass media, Khanal said, “I think its time for the ministry of information and the press council to set minimum qualification and eligibility requirements for an editor.” [break]
Speaking at a function organized by the council on Friday, he advised media organizations to offer attractive remuneration to journalists so that they may live a respectful life. “The idea of giving continuity to professional journalism will only remain an ideal if journalists are not well paid,” the prime minister said.
Khanal also urged the media people to pay attention toward the possibility of failing to play the role of a free media due to dependence on big advertisers.
He also suggested media fraternity to launch a debate over the relevance of mission journalism as practiced during the autocratic Panchayat regime.
He said instead of giving continuity to mission journalism, the need of the time was to shift focus on social issues. “Accountability in governance, transparent governing system, rule of law and civil liberty and other social issues should be the priority of free media,” he said.
Khanal also urged the council and the Federation of Nepali Journalists to strictly implement the journalist´s code of conduct. He suggested to the council to give priority to implementation of the code of conduct instead of giving more time to audit the newspapers circulation and other details. “The council must play its role effectively in its quasi-judicial capacity,” he said.
Stating that the Nepali media was not free from problems like publishing biased and baseless reports and being misused by some interest groups, the prime minister expected improvement in the media.
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