CHITWAN: Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina has expressed that without the public’s trust, the existence of media comes into question.

While speaking with journalists today, he urged them to take a moment for self-reflection. “The key question for those in mass media is whether the public truly trusts us,” he stated.

He believes that if journalists can seriously assess their roles and responsibilities, the communication sector could experience revitalization over the next five years, much like the momentum the country is currently gaining.

Dr. Timilsina reiterated his commitment to bolstering the communication sector, expressing his readiness to collaborate on necessary policy, rule, and law amendments through discussions with all stakeholders. He stressed the importance of developing this sector into a responsible organization that everyone can take pride in, emphasizing the need for cooperation with the media.

On another note, Minister Dr. Timilsina mentioned that the current government is actively working to place the country and its citizens at the forefront of its initiatives. He pointed out that it is crucial for everyone to seriously consider how to advance the communication sector, establish it as a respected field, and earn public trust. He highlighted the need to investigate the issues plaguing the communication sector and work towards effective solutions.

The Minister also noted that media professionals themselves must take responsibility for strengthening the media landscape. He shared that the government is in the process of introducing an advertising policy aimed at creating a more orderly and transparent advertising sector.

“Our goal is to develop the advertising sector into a legitimate industry,” he explained, adding that the focus of the advertising policy is on transitioning advertising into the formal sector. He clarified that the government has not halted public welfare advertising.