Kathmandu. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) Philomena Gyan Pragasam paid a courtesy call on Minister for Information and Communications Dr Bikram Timilsina today.

During the meeting, matters relating to development and strengthening of media sector, role of community radio, legal provisions related to mass communication and efforts made for reforms and 24th conference of AIBD going to be held in Nepal were discussed.

On the occasion, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Timilsina expressed the belief that the regional and international conferences and high-level meetings with experts and office-bearers would help in the development of media sector.

He expressed the belief that the conference of AIBD to be organized in Nepal would deliberate on contemporary challenges and opportunities in the media sector and it would support the government with necessary guidance in the process of reforms related to communications laws.

“A lot has changed in the media sector now as compared to a decade ago and new dimensions would be added in the days to come. Therefore, at a time when the government has been forwarding works to formulate new laws and amend old laws for media sector, we believe that suggestions from the conference to be held in Nepal would be useful in policy formulation,” he said.

According to him, community radio has made significant contribution to information dissemination, public awareness raising and strengthening democracy in Nepal. According to him, the electronic media such as radio and television were playing an effective role in promoting democracy, increasing citizen participation and building accountable governance.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Timilsina said the media sector was facing challenges such as economic sustainability, technological transformation and deteriorating credibility.

He said time has come to think more seriously about credibility, professionalism and sustainability of mainstream media with the expansion of citizen journalism and rapid development of digital media. Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Timilsina also said that the government was ready to provide necessary coordination, collaboration and cooperation with organising organisations to make the 24th conference of AIBD to be organised in Nepal a success.

Philomena Gnanpragasam, chief executive officer of AIBD, said radio is still a powerful medium of communication in South Asia. Especially, Nepal’s community radio campaign has played a significant role in disseminating information to a large mass up to the village level.

He said that the media sector is changing rapidly and radio and television are effectively raising the issues of artificial intelligence (AI), digital information systems, climate change, human rights and contemporary social issues. The role of electronic media as an effective medium for early information and reliable information during disaster is still important, the Prime Minister said.

Stating that AIBD has been active in the exchange of experience, policy and technology in the broadcasting sector among the member states, he expressed the belief that the conference to be held in Nepal would provide an important opportunity for exchange of knowledge between the international practice of electronic media and Nepal’s experience.

During the meeting, President of the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (ACORAB), Arjun Giri and other office-bearers said that the community radio has been playing a significant role in raising social issues, bringing marginalized communities into the mainstream and disseminating information at the local level.

Stating that the community radio was facing legal, policy and administrative complexities at a time when the use of digital and new media was increasing rapidly, they urged the Communications Minister to make necessary legal facilitation in the existing structure that has to work with all three tiers of government. Akorab also stressed the need for the protection and facilitation of community radio from the state, especially in times of disaster.

On the occasion, ACORAB officials recalled that Nepal has been playing a leading role in community radio movement in South Asia and a similar program of AIBD was successfully organized in Nepal in 2012 as well.

The 24th conference of AIBD to be held in Kathmandu from August 23 to 25 will be attended by policy makers, media experts, broadcasters and media persons from different countries of the Asia-Pacific region.