RSS marks 59th anniversary: Minister Gurung for developing RSS into news bank
Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Parbat Gurung has spoken of the need of establishing Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), the National News Agency, with a long history behind it as a news bank.
Addressing a function organised on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of RSS at its premises here today, he said RSS which is established as the state’s news media should be able to establish itself as a news bank by enhancing its effectiveness and quality of service.
"The situation of the private media prospering and the government institutions weakening is the challenge of the day. It is necessary to pay attention as to how state media like RSS can be made stronger," the Minister, who was the Chief Guest at the function, said.
Calling on RSS to refine itself and to be in tune with the time in the changed context, he said RSS should also think as to how it could contribute to the national vision of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ as a state news media.
Noting that only resources and equipment did not indicate an institution’s progress, Minister Gurung stressed on career development of the news agencies’ staffers as well.
On the occasion, Secretary at the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Deepak Subedi underlined the need of strategic improvements to make the RSS competitive and deliver quality services in the changed context.
Only the sufficiency of technology and resources would not lead the organisation to a success, but employee’s confidence level mattered in the organizational progress and success. He was of the view of boosting up employee’s morale and expanding RSS the role and perimeter as per the need of time.
RSS executive chair Harihari Adhikari ‘Shyamal’ sought high spirits of both RSS employees and the Management Committee to make the RSS competitive and professional as per the changed context.
As he said, problems in the RSS are not just concerned with its management and employees, but are related to the entire state mechanism and only the management was not blamed for all issues.
Stating the RSS management was doing its best for the quality service by carrying out policy-level and structural improvements, the RSS chair sought the demonstration of full capacities and professional honesty of entire workforce associated with the RSS.
"Professional and responsible journalism is for the state and people and it is necessary to make the RSS service-friendly and technologically sound by transform it as per the demand of time and I urge all to exhibit professional competency and efficiency."
Similarly, RSS General Manager Opendra Sharma said the RSS established as a bank and source of news would be further systematised and made effective in the days to come.
He cited the RSS had not made any compromise in its service delivery despite having limited resources. The General Manager pledged to make the RSS service prompt and efficient by changing the RSS structure as per the nation’s federal system.
Workforce development, organizational capacity enhancement and employee’s capacity development are in the priority list of the RSS and it is preparing to appoint salaried representative in India, China and some other countries having the majority of Nepali.
Chairperson of RSS associate chapter, FNJ, Narayan Prasad Ghimire stressed the need for making RSS service prompt and effective while expanding its service in line with federal setups. Chairperson of RSS employees’ association Manoj Lamichhane demanded that longstanding promotion of RSS’s employees should be carried out soon.
Similarly, coordinator of integrated national employees’ organisation, Prem Prasad Upadhyay called for transparent employees’ quotas and promotion of RSS’s employees by passing bylaws soon.
At present, RSS has the total 167 employees and 150 stringers in all seven states of the country.
RSS has a plan to disseminate news bulletins from all seven states following its entering federal setups, and operate video service this year and additionally strengthen audio service along with its commercial studio.
On the occasion, various awards under different categories announced earlier by the RSS Management, Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) RSS associate chapter, RSS Employees’ Association, RSS Employees’ Organisation, and winners of entertainment sports competition held on the occasion of RSS anniversary were honoured.
RSS should change itself keeping pace with time: Chief Minister Raut
State 2 Chief Minister Lal Babu Raut has said RSS should change itself in tune with the time.
He said so while addressing a programme marking the 59th anniversary of Rastriya Samachar Samiti, the National News Agency, organised at the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) office in Janakpurdham today.
Chief Minister Raut underscored that RSS which is the news media that disseminates the state’s official views should change itself in keeping with the pace of time. He also suggested RSS to be more inclusive and give space to the views of all sections of society.
The Chief Minister urged the media to take the good works of the government to the people while critiquing the wrong deeds. He said RSS should disseminate fair and objective news to strengthen the federalism, adding that the State 2 government was committed to protecting the freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
Chief Minister Raut also stated that conspiracies were being hatched from various quarters to weaken federalism and it was the responsibility of all to protect and strengthen federalism.
Senior journalist Rajeshwar Nepali recalled his job at RSS and described it very significant in his journalistic career. He said people take RSS as a credible and free media. Another senior journalist Rambharos Kapadi also praised the credibility of RSS.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Raut handed Sanjeet Kumar Mandal with the ‘best local reporter’ award and felicitated senior journalist Brij Kumar Yadav, who worked as a reporter during RSS’ establishment period.
RSS state 2 bureau chief Himanshu Chaudhari presided over the programme.
