Government Fully Committed to Press Freedom: Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina

Kathmandu. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Dr. Bikram Timilsina has said that the government is fully committed to press freedom. Replying to questions raised by lawmakers in Wednesday's meeting of the House of Representatives, Minister Timilsina stated that press freedom is a right guaranteed by the constitution and therefore no one can curtail it.

He said, "The government is fully committed to press freedom. This is not a right given by an individual in the government, but by the constitution. This right is secure; neither today, tomorrow, nor the day after can anyone curtail or infringe upon this right. However, press freedom does not mean unrestrained license. 

Accountability also comes along with press freedom. We are in a system where the government cannot do anything against press freedom even if it wants to, provided this important sector, accepted as a vital organ of the state system, functions in a way that maintains its dignity and prestige."

He mentioned that press freedom is not unrestrained license and expressed the view that accountability and dignity are also connected with the press. He stated that if the journalism sector works while maintaining its dignity and boundaries, the government cannot take any steps against press freedom even if it wishes to.

Minister Timilsina urged the journalism fraternity to work confidently while keeping their dignity and responsibilities in mind. He said, "We must be able to maintain the dignity and boundaries of the press; when the press maintains its dignity and boundaries, the government cannot do anything even if it wants to. Therefore, keeping that dignity and boundary in mind, I urge the journalism sector to work with confidence."

Similarly, he clarified that the government has no intention of controlling the press and stated that the government is committed to making the Press Council Nepal and the Film Censor Board more capable. 

Minister Timilsina also expressed confidence that the suggestions given and questions raised by the lawmakers regarding the government's policies, programs, and budget priorities would be seriously pondered.