AIBD Chief Executive Philomena Calls on Minister Timilsina, AIBD 24th General Conference on Agenda

Chief Executive Officer at the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), Philomena Gnanapragasam, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Information and Communications, Dr Bikram Timilsina.

During the meeting held at the Ministry today, they discussed the matter of development and enhancement of communications sector, the role of community radio, legal provisions related to mass media, efforts made towards reform sector and the 24th conference of AIBD scheduled in Nepal.

On the occasion, Communications Minister Dr Timilsina expressed the belief that regional and international conference as well as high-level meeting comprising experts and office-bearers would help develop communications sector, thereby benefitting the general public. He opined, “The communication sector has now witnessed much change. More new dimensions will be added in coming days.

So we believe that suggestions received from AIBD conference scheduled in Nepal will be useful in the context when the government has been forwarding activities to make new laws and amend existing ones for communications sector.”

The community radio has made significant contribution to dissemination of information, enhance public awareness and strengthen democracy in Nepal, Minister Dr Timilsina stressed, adding electronic media like radio and television have been playing effective role in promoting democracy, growing participation of citizens and building accountable governance system.

With the rapid expansion of citizen journalism and development of digital media, a time has come to think more seriously on accountability, professionalism and sustainability of mainstream media, underscored the Communications Minister Dr Timilsina.

He also clarified that the government was ready to make necessary coordination, collaboration and support with organiser to make 24th AIBD conference a success. Similarly, AIBD’s CEO Philomena Gnanapragasam mentioned that radio still remains as an effective media in South Asia.

She viewed that especially community radio campaign of Nepal has played remarkable role to take information to a large number of people up to village level. Stating that media sector has been experiencing rapid changes, the CEO added that the radio and television has been effectively raising the issues like artificial intelligence, digital information system, climate change, human rights and contemporary social issues.

She underscored that the role of electronic media is still significant as the effective media disseminating early and reliable information during disaster, expressing the belief that the AIBD conference scheduled in Nepal would provide a significant opportunity to exchange international practice of electronic media and Nepal’s experience.

Likewise, office-bearers of Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (ACORAB) Nepal, including Chairperson Arjun Giri shared that community radio has been playing crucial role in raising social issues, bringing marginalized community to mainstream and disseminating information in local levels.

Mentioning that community radio has been facing legal, policy and administrative complexities at a time when there is rapid use of digital and new media, they urged the Communications Minister for necessary legal facilitation.

The 24th conference of AIBD is scheduled from August 23-25 in Kathmandu where there would be participation of policy makers, communications experts, broadcasting agencies and media of various countries in Asia-Pacific region, added ACORAB. (RSS)