Tangible reform at RSS: Minister Banskota
Kathmandu, Dec 12 : Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gokul Banskota, has said the only news agency of Nepal, the National News Agency (RSS), has made reform of late.
“Despite having human resources crunch, which other state media have not, the contents of the RSS have much improved,” Minister Banskota lauded during the first quarterly review meeting of the state media.
The Minister urged the Gorkhapatra daily to ensure smooth distribution, while commenting that its front page has been changed. He urged the State run media not to be discouraged, saying it was not necessary to be panicked over the complaints some make at courts.
He also directed the Gorkhapatra daily to make its online edition more effective and refine the news of different languages it publishes.
In the review meeting, the Nepal Television was urged to adopt HD system. The NTV informed that it would go HD by the end of Magha.
It would be effective if the resource person was assigned while conducting projects. He however admitted that there was the shortage of communications equipment.
The Radio Nepal, as Minister Banskota observed, was in need of enhancing its quality and marketing. He urged the media to clear and collect the dues. As per his suggestion, the State run media could launch the plan incorporating the commercial gains.
The representatives of these four media must be mobilized in all 753 levels across the country. The employees devoting to work and shirking responsibilities must be treated differently, he stressed.
RSS Progress Review
During the review meeting, RSS Chairman Harihar Adhikari ‘Shyamal’ informed that the RSS had increased the Nepali news bulletins from 80 to 100 in a day. The RSS disseminates 180 photos daily- 60 from inside the country which it generates itself, and the remaining from the service exchanges with the foreign news agency.
Similarly, it was shared at the meeting that RSS also disseminates 20 audio news clips while five audio features every day. The RSS network has been expanded with its representatives in all 77 districts. Proposals of cooperation between the province governments and the RSS were submitted to the respective Chief Ministers.
The RSS Chairman further said training and orientation to its representatives was being launched from remote Karnali province from the next month; initiative underway to appoint permanent correspondents in China and India; efforts initiated to manage necessary equipments in all provincial offices and resources being sought with the utilization of its lands.
Minister Banskota was requested to inspect RSS offices and provide necessary direction and assistance. (RSS)