The Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) has formed an 11-member panel to provide suggestions and execute the National Mass Communication Policy-2073 unveiled by the erstwhile KP Sharma Oli-led government. 

According to Baburam Dhakal, spokesperson with the ministry, the new panel headed by Chairman of the Administrative Court Kashi Raj Dahal will hold discussions on policy execution, assist in its early implementation and give other relevant feedback.

“The panel has been formed to create some institutions as well as formulate laws,” Dhakal said. 

The formation of the committee follows a Cabinet decision on December 22 to help in drafting necessary laws for the development of an advanced information and communications system. 

Secretaries from the Prime Minister’s Office (Law), Finance Ministry (Revenue), Ministry of Information and Communications, the chairman of Nepal Press Council, Joint Secretary at the MoIC Rajendra Kirati and Spokesperson Dhakal are members of the panel whose tenure has been extended by a year. The ministry is yet to recommend two mass communication experts.  

Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki handed appointment letters to the members on Thursday. 

The ministry has already formed a task force to formulate a law to set up Mass Communication Authority in line with the policy. 

After receiving the letter, Dahal said the committee would focus on preparing draft of new laws, a draft related to information and communications in consistent with the federal setup and restructuring of the sectors under the MoIC. 

Minister Karki laid stress on the need for the media to focus also on rural areas instead of being urban-centric while disseminating news. Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications Mahendra Man Gurung pledged, in the capacity of the ministry secretary and member of the committee, to provide suggestions and all possible support for the implementation of the National Mass Communication Policy-2073.