September 9, Kathmandu.
Information and Communications Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina stated that the broadcasting sector must transform itself with changing technology, keeping reliability, public accountability, inclusivity, and citizen access at its core.
Inaugurating the 24th General Assembly of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) and the Asia-Pacific Regional Media Workshop today in Kathmandu, co-organized by the Community Radio Broadcasters Association (ACORAB) Nepal, Minister Timilsina stated that future broadcasting should not be limited to traditional mediums and styles.
He stated that digital technology, mobile, internet, social media, streaming, podcasts, artificial intelligence, and data-driven communication are changing the very nature of broadcasting.
Minister Timilsina described Nepal’s community radio practice as a unique achievement of the broadcasting sector, stating that community radios are not just radio stations but are the voices of communities, carriers of local democracy, and common assets of citizens.
‘Since their inception, community radios have played a significant role in various phases of political, social, and cultural change,’ he said.
Philomena Pragasm, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), stated that by taking the lead in organizing the AIBD’s 24th General Assembly and the Asia-Pacific Regional Media Workshop in Nepal, the Community Radio Broadcasters Association has presented an example that Nepali broadcasters are even more powerful.
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Ghulam Sarwar, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), stated that Nepal’s community radio broadcasting remains important in SAARC countries.
Arjun Giri, President of the Community Radio Broadcasters Association (ACORAB) Nepal, expressed happiness that AIBD, trusting ACORAB, had given it the important responsibility of organizing the conference and workshop.
Urvashi Basnet, Executive Chairperson of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), stated that the AIBD’s General Assembly and workshop would help face the challenges seen in the broadcasting world and enhance dialogue and cooperation among each other.
Under the workshop, yesterday, on the first day, separate discussions were held among representatives of stakeholders on the role of media in increasing transparency, openness, and public participation in parliament; fact-checking in news and the use of AI for this; the role of media in children’s digital safety and preventing online abuse; and the role of media in child nutrition.
More than 50 broadcasting experts and representatives from stakeholder bodies from 40 different countries participated in the conference and workshop. More than one hundred representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations related to the broadcasting sector from Nepal also participated.
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