AIBD CEO meets Minister Timilsina, discusses communications sector, 24th AIBD conference

KATHMANDU: Philomena Gnanapragasam, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Asia‑Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), met Minister for Information and Communication Dr Bikram Timilsina on Wednesday to discuss the communications sector and preparations for the 24th AIBD conference in Nepal.

The meeting at the ministry covered development and enhancement of the communications sector, the role of community radio, legal provisions related to mass media and sector reform efforts. Dr Timilsina said regional and international gatherings of experts and office‑bearers would help develop the sector and benefit the public.

“The communication sector has now witnessed much change. More new dimensions will be added in coming days. So we believe that suggestions received from the 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,” Dr Timilsina said.

The minister highlighted community radio’s contribution to information dissemination, public awareness and strengthening democracy, and noted that electronic media such as radio and television play an effective role in promoting democracy, increasing citizen participation and building accountable governance. He urged greater attention to accountability, professionalism and sustainability in mainstream media amid the rapid expansion of citizen journalism and digital media.

Dr Timilsina said the government was ready to provide coordination, collaboration and support to organisers to ensure the success of the 24th AIBD conference.

AIBD CEO Gnanapragasam said radio remains an effective medium in South Asia and praised Nepal’s community radio campaign for taking information to village levels. She added that radio and television are raising issues such as artificial intelligence, digital information systems, climate change, human rights and other contemporary social concerns, and stressed the importance of electronic media in disseminating early and reliable information during disasters.

Representatives of the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (ACORAB) Nepal, including chairperson Arjun Giri, said community radio plays a crucial role in highlighting social issues, bringing marginalised communities into the mainstream and sharing information locally. They urged the minister to provide legal facilitation to address policy and administrative challenges faced by community radio amid the rise of digital and new media.

The 24th AIBD conference is scheduled for August 23-25 in Kathmandu and will include participation from policy makers, communications experts, broadcasting agencies and media from across the Asia‑Pacific region.