Description
Information and communications, which are indispensable infrastructures for development, possess great importance for the overall development of the country. The contribution of information and communications has played an important role for creating a healthy, civilized and cultured society based on justice and morality as envisaged by the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal, 2047(1990).
Long -term Policy of Information and Communication Sector 2059 (2003)
Table of Contents
I. Long-term policy on postal sector
II. Long-term policy on printing sector
III. Long-term policy on telecommunications sector.
IV. Long-term policy on information dissemination and journalism sector
a. Information dissemination and journalism.
b. Journalism (Gorkhapatra Corporation)
c. Journalism (National News Agency)
V. Long-term policy on broadcasting sector
a. Broadcasting sector.
b. Radio broadcasting (Radio Nepal)
c. Television broadcasting (Nepal Television)
VI. Long-term policy on motion picture
VII. Long-term policy on advertisement
Preamble
Information and communications, which are indispensable infrastructures for development, possess great
importance for the overall development of the country. The contribution of information and communications
has played an important role for creating a healthy, civilized and cultured society based on justice and
morality as envisaged by the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal, 2047(1990). The act of maintaining
sustainability of and continuity to, development by bringing about positive change in people's daily lives
through every development work conducted by the nation depends on the effectiveness of communication.
In a geographically remote and economically and educationally backward country like ours, it is indisputable
that the development, expansion and proper mobilization of the communication sector can play an effective
role in creating awareness and consciousness to every citizen and bringing them into the mainstream of
national development.
It is equally necessary that, while keeping the communication sector in line with the open, liberal and
competitive economic environment, this sector should be developed and mobilized in a business like manner
with a view to attainting economic benefits. In doing so, on the one hand the communication will become
self-reliant and the economic burden of the nation will be minimized to some extent, and the development of
the communication sector can go a long way in developing the economic and social sector and thereby
reducing the widespread poverty in the country, on the other. In the context of the private sector
investment being attracted at present in the communication sector, it is equally necessary to embrace
private initiatives emerged in this sector and move forward to build a new communication era through
healthy competition. Therefore, the Ninth Plan has given high priority to the proper development and
expansion of the information and communication sector with the objectives, inter alia, of developing
communications system required for infrastructures to extend communication services to the rural areas
throughout the Kingdom, assisting in increasing the economic growth rate while mobilizing the
communications sector, alleviating poverty which remains a serious challenges to the nation, and eradicating
social backwardness.
In pursuance of the goal of preparing a long-term policy on information and communications, in the course
of implementing the above-mentioned concepts adopted by the Ninth Plan, the policy on information and
communications has been prepared and presented, with the involvement and assistance of all governmental
and non-governmental bodies related with the information and communications sector.
Major long-term policies on information and communications sector
Major long-term policies to be pursued for co-coordinative development of the information and
communications sector are as follows:-
1. To develop the information and communications sector up to the rural level in a coordinative and
competitive manner, while using proper modern technology and means of communications invented
in the world at the moment.
2. To make postal service autonomous, keep on developing it as an institution capable of rendering
professional, competitive and quality services as demanded by the customers and make it self-
reliant economically.
3. To make security printing autonomous, develop and operate it as an institution capable of rendering
professional and standard services.
4. To extend local telephone service and reliable trunk service to main places of the Kingdom of Nepal
in such a manner also to contribute to economic development, and extend telecommunications
service up to the rural areas, with a goal of providing 15 line telephones per hundred persons.
5. In tune with the main spirit of the freedom of opinion and expression and the right of every citizen
to demand and receive information on any matter of public importance as guaranteed with priority
by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 2047 (1990), to make means of information and
communications competitive, reliable, effective and strong.
6. To develop healthy, honored, professional and institutional journalism.
7. To develop the Department of Information as an information imparting center disseminating
information about activities of His Majesty's Government to the general public and in and outside
the country.
8. To develop the Press council as a representative body of the print media, and make it a body
equipped with required resources and capable of having conduct in consonance with a certain code
of conduct and developing responsible professional journalism.
9. To involve the private sector in the operation of Gorkhapatra Corporation with a view to conducting
print media by the private sector in a competitive manner.
10. To consolidate and diversify services of the agency by adopting modern technology in collection,
edition and distribution of news, and also involve the private in the management of the Agency.
11. In order to fully establish the right of the people to information guaranteed by the Constitution of
the Kingdom of Nepal, to form an administrative unit to monitor diversity and effectiveness of
broadcasting materials and ensure management of broadcasting system, and keep on extending the
radio, television and internet information system throughout the Kingdom on proportional basis.
12. To establish a national Broadcasting Authority as a regulatory body for coordinative and competitive
development and regulation of broadcasting sector with a view to disseminating health,
entertaining, knowledge and information by making electronic broadcasting means competitive and
reliable and operate radio and television broadcasting effectively.
13. To develop the Radio Nepal and the Nepal Television as national broadcasting institutions by
developing proper physical infrastructures.
14. To give priority to the making of Nepalese motion pictures on the language of nation and national
languages and encourage the private sector to develop Nepal as a place of international film
activities.
15. To encourage and manage contribution of advertisement business to national economy by
strengthening this business as a national industry.
16. To monitor the language, style and cultural subject matter used in advertisement and make
advertisement lively and effective.
I. Long-term policy relating to postal sector
1. Objective:
1.1 To make postal service as an autonomous entity and develop it as an institution capable of rendering
professional, competitive and qualitative services as demanded by the customers and make it self-reliant
economically.
2. Policy/Implementation policy
2.1 Policy
2.1.1 To operate postal service as a professional, competitive, self-reliant and autonomous body.
2.1.2 To make the existing service reliable and competitive and keep on operating other new services such
as electronic-post in postal sector by giving priority to the interests of customers.
2.1.3 To develop physical infrastructures for modernization and have mechanization and review of mailing
lines and operate surface post service through own source.
2.1.4 To develop human resources and adopt various measures to encourage the working human resources.
2.1.5 To emphasize philatelic promotion.
2.1.6 To also utilize movable and immovable properties of postal service in business-oriented use.
2.1.7 To have participation of the local body and private sector in operation of postal service.
2.1.8 To regulate and manage services of postal nature operated by the private sector, and also to
encourage the private sector in operation of such services.
2.1.9 In consonance with the concept of decentralization, to arrange for operation of the additional postal
service operated in the local level by the local level to the extent possible.
2.2 Working strategy
First stage
2.2.1 To form a capable and empowered postal service board at the beginning.
2.2.2 To make timely change in existing postal related services and make them capable of being operated
professionally.
2.2.3 To extend postal services to all village development committees, and review organization and human
resources as per necessity and ascertain the standard of postal service and human resources based on
transactions.
2.2.4 To do feasibility study for operation of posts operated in the rural areas by the local body itself and
get them operated accordingly if deemed feasible.
2.2.5 To keep on widely expanding internal express service.
2.2.6 To keep on arranging for registration and distribution of foreign parcels at all district posts.
2.2.7 To keep on expanding services with as many countries as possible towards direction of globalization of
international express mail service.
2.2.8 To establish a separate office for express mail.
2.2.9 To keep on gradually expanding activity of registration and distribution of international express mail
service also in other cities, in addition to Kathmandu.
2.2.10 To enforce track and trace system of postal goods in domestic and international express service.
2.2.11 To review all mailing lines and establish new mailing lines as per necessity and cancel unnecessary
mailing lines.
2.2.12 To prepare postal manuals.
2.2.13 To implement postal code number in a compulsory and effective manner.
2.2.14 To bring effectiveness in postal goods supply system.
2.2.15 To build, improve and expand buildings of central offices, regional directorates and district and area
postal offices.
2.2.16 To enhance physical infrastructures and capacity of postal training center.
2.2.17 To consolidate money order service and expand it to international sector, as well.
2.2.18 To consolidate and expand saving bank service.
2.2.19 To keep on increasing the revolving fund to make effective provision of domestic and foreign money
order.
2.2.20 To give priority to publication of postal stamps of such kind that reflects cultural and touristy value
of the nation and have competition in postal stamp designing.
2.2.21 To fix service standards.
2.2.22 To make inspection process effective in order to mitigate postal crimes.
2.2.23 To adopt various measures to attract and encourage the human resources serving in postal service.
2.2.24 To open mail centers in other places too, besides Kathmandu, based on density of postal goods.
2.2.25 To operate various agency services such as fax, cash on delivery, postal giro, email, electronic data
interface and inter-net service, towards making the postal service reliable.
Second stage
2.2.26 To regulate and manage courier services operated by the private sector and increase participation
with private couriers as per necessity.
2.2.27 To expand electronic posts.
2.2.28 To bring about participation of the private sector in the use and development of land, buildings and
other movable and immovable properties belonging to posts.
2.2.29 To study market and operate feasible new services.
2.2.30 To make the postal training center capable of also operating trainings of international level and
prepare capable manpower.
2.2.31 To identify and operate new financial services.
2.2.32 To expand and promote philatelic service in a professional manner and keep on expanding philatelic
branches in feasible places.
2.2.33 To establish a postal museum.
2.2.34 To establish a mail center of international standards near the international airport.
Third phase
2.2.35 After building infrastructures for self-reliance by the Board, to convert it into an autonomous
corporation capable of competing with the private sector.
2.2.36 To arrange for surface mail transport through one's own means.
2.2.37 To have mechanization in major posts.
Fourth phase
2.2.38 To achieve self-dependency economically.
2.2.39 To keep on operating services of customer's choice in a standard manner.
II. Long-term policy on printing sector
1. Objective
1.1 To make security printing autonomous, develop and operate it as an institution capable of rendering
professional and standard services.
1.2 To render professional printing services to government and non-government bodies until the security
printing system is fully operational.
1.3 To arrange for mechanism required for coordinative development of the printing sector.
1.4 To encourage to keep on developing private sector printing industries.
2. Policies/working policies
2.1 To make timely change in the exiting printing and press technology related laws and make them timely.
2.2 To do away with duplicity in the printing policy of His Majesty's Government.
2.3 To carry out construction works of first phase (security printing) of the state-of-art building required for
the Department within the Ninth Plan period.
2.4 To develop the security printing as a security printing press that prints publications of which secrecy has
to be maintained and security printing materials such as postal stamp, air letter, bank cheque, passport,
visa, air ticket, revenue sticker and revenue slip.
2.5 To arrange for transport carrier for the carriage of raw materials and prepared materials within the
Ninth Plan period.
2.6 To do various business printing on timely matters of governmental bodies within the Ninth Plan period.
2.7 To commence two-colored postal stamp and revenue ticket/sticker within the Ninth Plan period.
2.8 To place the Department of Printing under the Ministry of Finance in the future and operate security
printing in an effective manner.
2.9 To form a capable and empowered security printing board.
2.10 To gradually decrease the letter press technology and develop offset (wet and dry) press technology.
2.11 To produce capable manpower for the operation and maintenance of printing service within the Ninth
and Tenth Plan period.
2.12 To prepare all infrastructures for security printing and complete the second phase of works (currency
printing press) of building and also arrange for importing and installing machineries and equipment required
for paper currency within the Ninth Plan period.
2.13 To make timely improvement of printing and remain active towards achieving financial self-reliance.
2.14 To hand over the business of printing Nepal Gazette to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary
Affairs within the Ninth Plan period, and also abandon printing acts other than security printing of other
bodies and four-colored standard printing.
2.15 To establish state-of-the art printing machines and operate additional security printing service.
2.16 To use modern technologies such as Nylo, Gravure and intaglio process instead of works such as mono
type/block making within the Tenth Plan period.
2.17 To carry on secret and standard business oriented printing, along with security printing, within the
Tenth Plan period.
2.18 To start printing of paper currency and carry out security printing only from the Tenth Plan period.
2.19 To establish state-of-the art printing machines in the Twelfth Plan, operate all kinds of security printing
services in the country and render standard security printing services and become self-reliant.
2.20 To so provide for a printing council as to have representation of authentic organizations relating to
printing for the development, expansion, and promotion of the private sector printing industries as well as
for coordinative development of the printing sector.
2.21 To operate other presses in a business like manner, by His Majesty's Government, than presses of His
Majesty's Government developed as security printing.
2.22 To open timely technical institutes in participation of the private sector in order to prepare required
manpower relating to press in Nepal.
III. Long term policy on telecommunications sector
1. Objectives
1.1 To have development and expansion of telecommunications means competitively in such manner as to
maintain regional balance.
1.2 To extend local telecommunications service and reliable trunk service in important places in the
Kingdom of Nepal in a manner also to contribute to economic development, and extend the
telecommunications service to the rural level with a goal of 15 telephone lines per hundred people by the
end of the Twelfth Plan.
1.3 To develop this sector as an infrastructure of the overall social and economic development by
emphasizing the research, use and expansion of the information communications technology.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 Policy
2.1.1 To develop the telecommunications sector in a competitive environment by expanding the existing
services, starting new services and increasing quality standards of services and to get the private sector
involved in expanding the telecommunications service in the rural areas, as well.
2.1.2 To make frequency management effective.
2.1.3 To pursue appropriate strategy to attract capital required for development of the telecommunications
sector.
2.1.4 To keep on making timely and strengthening the regulatory body in order to enhance the private
sector investment in competitive development of the telecommunications service.
2.1.5 To expand the telecommunications service in a manner to have 15 lines of telephone per hundred
people by the end of the Twelfth Plan.
2.1.6 To encourage the use of modern technology to diversify and upgrade standards of the
telecommunications service and do or cause to be done, research and development acts in order to
gradually have required means and resources in the country and reduce importation and increase reliability
of the service.
2.1.7 To render assistance for the development of sectors such as agriculture, tourism, health, industry,
commerce, postal service, information technology by building national information infrastructure, taking into
account of possibility of faster information flow that can be achieved from various means of communication
in the social and economic sectors of the country.
2.1.8 To generate and develop capable manpower.
2.1.9 If Nepal becomes a member of the World Trade Organization, to have according management in view
of competition that may occur in the telecommunications sector.
2.1.10 To use appropriate telecommunications technology taking into consideration of the country's
geographical remoteness.
2.2 Working policy
2.2.1 To develop and operate the telecommunications sector in a competitive environment by expanding
the existing services, starting new services and increasing quality standards of services.
2.2.2 In the context where the telecommunications systems requiring frequency have started being used
extensively and such systems are being developed speedily, to consolidate the organizational structure of
frequency management and make it effective.
2.2.3 To review and update the national frequency plan.
2.2.4 To coordinate and implement acts on the uses of orbital slot to be used by Nepal at the international
level.
2.2.5 To pursue appropriate strategy for the competitive development of the telecommunications sector and
attract the private sector capital investment.
2.2.6 To expand the capacity of Nepal Telecommunications Authority in knowledge and use of new
technologies found out in the world and regulation of telecommunications regulation.
2.2.7 To have 15 lines basic telephone per hundred people by the end of the Twelfth Plan by expanding the
capacity of telephone exchanges and establishing new exchanges and expand wireless telephone service as
per necessity.
2.2.8 To provide services in those village development committees of the Kingdom deprived of the
telecommunications service so far and extend the same up to wards.
2.2.9 To establish an Internet Node at the district headquarters in participation of the private sector in such
a manner as to assist acts such as tele-medicine, distance learning, tele-processing and e-commerce as well
as develop infrastructures of telecommunications.
2.2.10 To establish, or cause to be established, tele-centers through out the Kingdom for the flow of
information required for the overall development of the country.
2.2.11 To develop and promote programs on the use of modern technologies such as optical fiber, wireless
and satellite communications for the development of overall infrastructures.
2.2.12 To do, or cause to be done, research and development acts in order to encourage the use of modern
technology in the telecommunications sector and upgrade standards of the existing service.
2.2.13 To prepare national information infrastructure to render assistance for the development of
agriculture, tourism, health, industry, commerce, postal service, information technology sector etc. taking
into account of convergence of broadcasting, telecommunications and computer. To build national
information superhighway and north south information highway and also to link Nepal with broad band
information network with other parts of the world.
2.2.14 To encourage the private sector, as well, to prepare capable manpower required for the
telecommunications sector.
2.2.15 To so improve the organizational structure of Nepal Telecommunications Authority that it can act in a
competitive environment.
2.2.16 To have full competition in all kinds of telecommunications services from 2004 A.D.
IV. Information flow and journalism sector
(A) Information flow and journalism
1. Objective
1.1 In tune with the main spirit of the freedom of opinion and expression and the right of every citizen to
demand and receive information on any matter of public importance as guaranteed with priority by the
Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 2047 (1990), to make means of information and communications
competitive, reliable, effective and strong.
1.2 To develop healthy, honored, professional and institutional journalism.
1.3 To develop the Department of Information as an information imparting center flowing information about
activities of His Majesty's Government to the general public and in and outside the country.
1.4 To develop the Press Council as a representative body of the print media, and make it a body equipped
with required resources and capable of having conduct in consonance with a certain code of conduct and
developing responsible professional journalism.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 With a view to integrating the information dissemination and journalism related bodies including the
Department of Information, Press Council and Nepal Journalist Federation and operating them in a
coordinative manner in consonance with the concept of media village, to develop necessary infrastructures
for these bodies and associate the developed infrastructures with the objectives of these bodies and utilize,
or cause to be utilized, them in an integrated manner.
2.2 To develop the Department of Information as an information disseminating center to act as an
institution bearing responsibility of a principal body disseminating information of His Majesty's Government
by maintaining coordination among public information officers or spokespersons of various bodies of His
Majesty's Government.
2.3 To operate capable and effective public information bureaus in major places of the Kingdom of Nepal
and to establish and operate modern information network between such bureaus and the Department of
Information.
2.4 To arrange for study, research, interaction and exchange of visits between native and foreign
journalists.
2.5 To establish modern information network between central and local bodies of His Majesty's Government
and the Department of Information and information centers.
2.6 To strengthen photo laboratory and establish photo gallery.
2.7 To help develop a knowledge-based society by developing libraries and reading rooms in the
Department of Information and information centers so that the general people may read newspapers, books
and booklets.
2.8 To provide journalists with opportunity for trainings and studies in and outside the country for the
development of professional efficiency of the journalism sector.
2.9 To develop means of information as a national capital investment industry.
2.10 To keep on promoting public welfare advertisement dissemination so as to make environment
conducive to the competitive development of professional journalism.
2.11 To develop the Press council as an independent and capable representative body of the print media,
and strengthen it to observe and get observed journalist code of conduct.
2.12 To make evaluation system of newspapers and evaluation objective and transparent by providing
autonomy to the distribution examination committee and making it capable and strengthened.
2.13 To provide for law on the right to information in order to guarantee the right to information conferred
by the Constitution.
2.14 To protect and promote the rights and interests of the working journalists.
2.15 For the purpose of extending access to information and communication to the general public, to
establish the community information center with the local participation and encourage to develop and
operate community information centers.
2.16 To make access of Nepalese communication means global in a gradual manner and create environment
such that newspapers published in Nepal can also reach foreign markets easily.
2.17 To render special assistance to the journalism related institutions in order to promote and encourage
dignified, standard, responsible and professional journalism.
2.18 To create appropriate environment for the development other various disciplines of journalism
inclusive of photo journalism, cartoon, information-oriented publication and broadcasting and internet on-
line.
2.19 To give permission to any person, organization or company to operate a maximum of any two means
out of publication house, news agency, radio broadcasting institution and television broadcasting institution;
and in so giving permission, to have a provision that only up to 40 percent of the total investment may be
invested in the second means.
2.20 To establish a data exchange system between the department of Information and information bureaus
of SAARC countries.
2.21 To arrange for training, orientation, study etc. in order to enhance capacity of the manpower
associated with the journalism sector.
2.22 As sufficient native investment is being made in the Nepalese journalism sector, not to accept foreign
investment for the development of print media.
(B) Journalism (Gorkhapatra Corporation)
1. Objectives
1.1 To involve the private sector in the operation of the Gorkhapatra Corporation with a view to conducting
print media by the private sector in a competitive manner.
1.2 To develop it as a publishing house by using modern technology.
1.3 To remain active in the development and promotion of Nepalese literature (bangmaya), by rendering
contribution to the institutional development of standard, healthy and objective journalism.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To arrange for the operation of the Gorkhapatra Corporation competitively with participation of the
private sector, and flow shares of the Gorkhapatra Corporation at the first stage.
2.2 To develop the Gorkhapatra Corporation as a publishing house.
2.3 To pursue the publication policy as follows.
a. To public such reading materials that may enhance faith in the basic values, norms and structure of
the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 2047 (1990).
b. To publish such features and articles that may be useful for citizens of all sectors, classes and
professions and such materials that may safeguard the languages, cultures, customs and usages of
all the castes and tribes.
c. To publish such kinds of materials that may discourage activities such as social evils, deformities
and unsocial activities and injustice and oppression.
d. To make the general people understand the importance of national heritages and encourage them
to be aware for their protection and promotion.
e. To publish such materials that may build enthusiasm and self-confidence of citizens to perform a
constructive role in the nation building.
f. To publish such kinds of features and articles that may encourage the general public on activities
such as protection of forests, plantation, pollution control etc. for the environmental/ecological
balance and protection.
g. To render assistance in the upliftment of the Nepalese language and literature even outside Nepal,
particularly in those places where the Nepalese language is spoken.
h. No to give space for such material as written with personal interest and biasness, to damage any
one's character, undermine reliability of any business or organization and encourage communal
feeling.
i. Not to publish news or articles or features of such kind as are contrary to the foreign policy pursued
by the nation.
j. To arrange for trainings for fulfillment of capable manpower.
k. To pursue timely effective measures in order to make the Corporation self-reliant.
(C) Journalism (National News Agency)
1. Objectives
1.1 To consolidate and diversify services of the agency by using modern technology in collection, edition and
distribution of news, and also involve the private in the management of the Agency.
1.2 To develop the National News Agency equipped with means and resources, capable human resources
and modern technology with a view to running it competitively in tune with the changing circumstances.
1.3 To render contribution to the development of journalism through collection and distribution of impartial,
authentic, reliable and factual news.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To enhance physical capacity of the National News Agency and consolidate and diversify its services.
2.2 To float shares in order to gradually decrease governmental participation and increase private sector
participation.
2.3 To develop the National News Agency as an autonomous and self-reliant organization collecting and
disseminating impartial and factual news.
2.4 To provide for maintaining records of materials collected by the National News Agency and having
access of the customers to the news materials placed in records.
2.5 Also to develop the National News Agency as a source of news required for printing and electronic
means of communication.
2.6 To collect, edit, disseminate and exchange such news that contributes to protection and promotion of
national interest and democracy and social upliftment.
2.7 To provide news and articles on social, economic, political and cultural matters of the country as well as
other matters of public interest.
2.8 To collect and disseminate news of national and international importance in consonance with the foreign
policy pursued by the nation.
2.9 To develop and mobilize capable human resources in order to render standard services.
2.10 To sell and distribute standard news and articles and features and keep on adding timely services in
order to bring about additional sources.
2.11 To have a permanent correspondent of the National News Agency in each district and have
correspondents of the National News Agency in important places abroad as per necessity in a gradual
manner.
2.12 To keep on using appropriate technology to render news services.
2.13 To produce and sell and distribute pictures and audio-visual materials appropriate for means of
communications.
2.14 To development infrastructures for the development and self-reliance of the National News Agency.
V. Long-term policy on broadcasting sector
(a) Broadcasting sector
1. Objectives
1.1 In order to fully establish the right of the people to information guaranteed by the Constitution of the
Kingdom of Nepal, to form an administrative unit to monitor diversity and effectiveness of broadcasting
materials and ensure management of broadcasting system, and keep on extending the radio, television and
internet information system to the whole of the Kingdom on proportional basis.
1.2 To establish a national Broadcasting Authority as a regulatory body for coordinative and competitive
development and regulation of broadcasting sector with a view to flowing health, entertaining, knowledge
and information by making electronic broadcasting means competitive and reliable and operate radio and
television broadcasting effectively.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 Taking into consideration of the obligations to be assumed by His Majesty's government for the
development of the broadcasting sector and adjustment of technological development, to maintain
competitive environment with active participation of the private sector.
2.2 To establish a national broadcasting authority with participation of the private sector, as well, in order to
regulate broadcasting institutions and their broadcasting.
2.3 In view of technological development rapidly taking place in the broadcasting sector and its cost
structure, to enhance the radio and television broadcasting sector. To arrange for provision of audio-visual
materials at low cost through available new technology such as satellite reception in rural areas, in
particular.
2.4 To study various alternatives for having joint investment of the private sector and organizations under
ownership of His Majesty's Government for the development of broadcasting sector and enforce such
alternatives.
2.5 To encourage particularly the matters relating to natural characteristics, religion, culture and heritages
of Nepal to produce Nepalese programs. To develop cooperative relationship with program producing
native/foreign institutions on production of such joint programs. To evaluate the demand of world market for
qualitative programs on natural features, religion and heritages of Nepal and make arrangements
accordingly.
2.6 To use broadcasting with involvement of the governmental and non-governmental sector for distance
education system.
2.7 In view of the convergence of information and communications technology, to render assistance in
making clear policy and law on the ownership of governmental and non-governmental sector.
2.8 To keep on categorizing and guiding broadcasting institutions in consonance with their objectives while
operating broadcasting institutions at the private sector. To identify obligations to be borne by fully
professional or profit-oriented broadcasting institutions for enhancing public awareness and facilities which
the nation can provide to broadcasting institutions operated for upliftment of the community and make
necessary arrangements.
2.9 To establish a broadcasting academy as an autonomous body to do develop human resources by
organizing trainings and symposiums from time to time, enhance broadcasting materials and study and
research on timely broadcasting technology.
2.10 To make provision for availing opportunity available for the well-being of the nation through
broadcastings of international standard in tune with the development taking place in broadcasting
technology, remain alter against possible threats and control/restrict such broadcasting in view of national
interest.
2.11 To emphasize establishment of an integrated information system in the district headquarters in the
Kingdom in such a manner that people are benefited from provision of means of multi-mass media such as
television, radio, telephone, internet with a view to expanding access of general public to information by
encouraging the use of community communication means at the local level.
2.12 Since there is no situation where investment required for the use of modern technology available in
the broadcasting sector can be met from domestic sector only, to have participation of foreign investment
not exceeding 25 percent for development of the broadcasting sector until this situation is improved.
(b) Radio broadcasting (Radio Nepal)
1. Objectives
1.1 To develop Radio Nepal as a national broadcasting institution by developing proper physical
infrastructures.
1.2 To use timely technologies in order to extend the broadcasting of Radio Nepal throughout the Kingdom
of Nepal and the Nepalese people residing in neighboring countries.
1.3 To make necessary provision to produce and broadcast programs taking into account that it is highly
required that programs broadcast by Radio Nepal should be knowledgeable, informative, standard and of
public interest.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To make Radio Nepal broadcasting Kingdom-wide and easily available by using appropriate technology.
2.2 To produce/cause to be produced effective and popular radio programs and broadcast them.
2.3 To bring development-oriented and educational programs and information such as agriculture,
education, health, tourism, science and technology, good governance, by protecting the right of the people
to be informed through radio broadcasting.
2.4 To broadcast programs on various economic, social and cultural aspects of the country and enhance
national interest and unity.
2.5 To broadcast news and views in an impartial, efficient, reliable and professional manner.
2.6 To broadcast foreign service programs in international languages in order to provide foreign listeners
with information about Nepal.
2.7 To establish a network of such type as t o disseminate information immediately from any part of the
country.
2.8 To take proper steps towards madding the radio broadcasting self-reliant and self-dependent
economically.
2.9 To diversify radio programs and broadcast educational, informative and entertaining programs from
different channels for mass people, and keep on increasing program broadcasting time.
2.10 To get the private sector, too, involved so order to develop the radio broadcasting competitively.
2.11 To make provision of capable, efficient and trained manpower to make programs standard, interesting
and effective.
2.12 To have public opinion about the effects of programs on the society and improve and refine programs
accordingly.
2.13 To launch programs in the national languages in order to develop various national languages of the
country and to develop culture, art, music and literature in every sector of the country.
2.14 To provide radio service to cent percent people by using appropriate technology and pursuing the
process of joint participation with the private sector.
2.15 To produce and broadcast programs on various national languages for making regional broadcasting
source-oriented.
2.16 To gradually replace old technology in the course of using new technology, and keep on using
sustainable and standard technology developed at the international market.
2.17 To produce and broadcast educational, informative and entertaining programs in order to provide
opportunity for the mass people to be informed.
2.18 To develop Radio Nepal as an autonomous and responsible body by making timely improvements in
the Acts and Regulations.
(c) Television broadcasting (Nepal Television)
1. Objectives
1.1 To develop Nepal Television as a national broadcasting institution by developing proper physical
infrastructures.
1.2 To use timely technologies in order to extend the broadcasting of Nepal Television throughout the
Kingdom of Nepal and the Nepalese people residing in neighboring countries.
1.3 To make necessary provision to produce interesting materials taking into account that it is highly
required that programs broadcast by Nepal Television should be standard and of public interest, after
making Nepal Television technologically equipped.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To make Nepal Television broadcasting Kingdom-wide and easily available by using appropriate
technology.
2.2 With a view to increasing production of standard programs which are timely and interesting to the
people and increasing programs of Nepalese culture, arts and life-style by competing foreign channels
receivable through satellite, to have the concept of second channel and produce/cause to be produced
effective and popular programs and broadcast them accordingly.
2.3 To bring development-oriented and educational programs and information such as agriculture,
education, health, tourism, science and technology, good governance, by protecting the right of the people
to be informed through television broadcasting.
2.4 To broadcast programs on various economic, social and cultural aspects of the country and enhance
national interest and unity.
2.5 To broadcast news and views in an impartial, efficient, reliable and professional manner.
2.6 To establish a network of such type as to disseminate information immediately from any part of the
country.
2.7 To take proper steps towards madding the television broadcasting self-reliant and self-dependent
economically.
2.8 To diversify television programs and broadcast educational, informative and entertaining programs from
different channels for the mass people, and keep on increasing program broadcasting time.
2.9 To get the private sector, too, involved so order to develop the television broadcasting competitively.
2.10 To make provision of capable, efficient and trained manpower to make programs standard, interesting
and effective.
2.11 To have public opinion about the effects of programs on the society and improve and refine programs
accordingly.
2.12 To develop Nepal Television as an autonomous and responsible body by making timely improvements
in the Acts and Regulations.
VI. Long-term policy on motion picture sector
1. Objectives
1.1 To give priority to the making of Nepalese motion pictures on the language of nation and national
language and encourage the private sector to develop Nepal as a place of international film activities.
1.2 To safeguard Nepalese language, arts and culture.
1.3 To make Nepalese motion pictures of such type as to introduce Nepal to the world.
1.4 To attract foreign investment, as well, in the field of making motion pictures.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To make effective the functions of Motion Picture Development Board formed for competitive and
coordinative development and promotion of the Nepalese motion picture sector.
2.2 To provide such appropriate facilities to the native motion picture industries to import raw materials as
are available to other industries.
2.3 To create environment that production processing works of Nepalese motion pictures can be made in
Nepal.
2.4 To create the environment where artists and technical manpower involved in the film industry can get
necessary training and encouragement.
2.5 To encourage all parties involved in the field of production and exhibition of motion pictures produced in
the language of the nation and national languages of Nepal.
2.6 To do study and research of Nepalese motion pictures.
2.7 To create the environment where foreign investment and joint investment is attracted in the production
of motion pictures.
VII. Long-term policy on advertisement
1. Objectives
1.1 To encourage and manage contribution of advertisement business to national economy by strengthening
this business as a national industry.
1.2 To promote advertisement as a main source of income in order to develop fair and free means of
communications.
1.3 To monitor the language, style and cultural subject matter used in advertisement and make
advertisement lively and effective.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To make arrangements for specification of clear powers and duties of all parties related with ideal
advertisement-advertisement provider, advertisement entrepreneur, means of communications and
consumer.
2.2 To make a code of conduct to protect the values, norms, culture and ideals of the Nepalese society in
consonance with the spirit of the Constitution of the kingdom of Nepal.
2.3 To have authoritative organization of Nepal advertisement entrepreneurs involved in making policy
related directly or indirectly with advertisement.
2.4 To enlist the advertisement business as an industry and make provision for granting necessary facilities
and concessions.
2.5 The means of communications are to promote advertisement market in consonance with the concept of
advertisement flow cycle.
2.6 In admitting multinational companies relating to advertisement business, to make mandatory a certain
investment and guarantee of foreign advertisement as well as minimum twenty percent native participation
and also to include a term to promote Nepalese labor, skills and business.
2.7 To make provision for having monitoring and evaluation of advertisements broadcast/published in
electronic media (audio-visuals), print media and digital media and external advertisements through the
concerned organizations or independent bodies formed with their representation. For this purpose, to form
one impartial, independent, representative advertisement censor board.
2.8 To have certain qualifications, capacity and infrastructures specified through a recognized advertisement
agency, organization for advertisement entrepreneurs who intend to carry on advertisement business, and
enforce the integrated registration system on the basis thereof.
2.9 To take initiative for getting the advertisement related subject included in curricula and encourage to
establish advertisement schools and advertisement training institutes and provide advertisement
entrepreneurs with proper opportunity of trainings and studies.
2.10 With a view to pursuing national perspective in advertisement production, to give priority to the use of
Nepalese labor, skill and technology and provide for charging additional fees on advertisement materials
produced abroad.
2.11 The language, pronunciation and presentation to be used in advertisements should have Nepaliness.
2.12 To categorize advertisements as follows, taking into account of the nature of advertisement, objective
of advertisement and its impacts.
a. Business advertisement:- Any advertisements to be made with object to promote sale of goods and
services, such as advertisement of introduction of new goods, filmy advertisement, price fluctuation
advertisement, tender, contract or notices.
b. Public welfare advertisement:- Any advertisements to be made not from business motive but from
social welfare viewpoint such as agriculture, health, education, public interest and information and
good wishes and condolences.
2.13 To make legal arrangements for trademark of advertisement material and copyright relating to
institution.
2.14 To encourage advertisements to be made through computer technology like internet.
2.15 So as to stop broadcasting of advertisements which exaggerate goods directly affecting the health of
the consumers such as food, beverages, drugs etc and spread unnecessary confusion, to make provision
requiring permission of the concerned official body prior to making advertisement of such goods.
2.16 With a view to increasing financial sources of the means of communications and also contributing to
business of advertisement sponsors and advertisement entrepreneurs, to make provision for categorizing
productions and broadcasting their advertisements in the certain period of time, and reevaluate the
restriction imposed on the broadcasting of advertisements liquors and tobacco products through electronic
media in accordance with the standards set by the World Health Organization.
2.17 Even though advertisement agencies are registered as large, medium and small and cottage industries
in Nepal, their categorization in terms of transaction, income tax and other social obligation is expedient; so,
to categorize agencies on grounds of initial capital investment, annual transactions, number of employees
engaged in agency, involvement in various means of communications, physical infrastructures, etc. It would,
normally, be appropriate to categorize agencies into at least four categories.
2.18 To make provision for dobbing the material of advertisement, by the Nepalese media, in the Nepalese
language and to discourage acts such that audio is Nepali but visual is foreign.
2.19 To make the license system for production of feature films, documentaries and public welfare and
professional advertisements practicable and fix separate fees.
2.20 In the case of outdoor advertisement means, to specify appropriate size and place for neon shine, glow
shine, hoarding and banner and manage them in such a manner that they do not affect the public life and
stop advertisement through wall poster and wall painting.
2.21 To make provision for making available advertisements to newspapers and means of broadcasting on
the basis of categorization and provide other concessions, as well, on that proportion.
2.22 To create environment that advertisements are provided by governmental or private sector industrial
enterprises or bodies to the private sector papers on the basis of categorization.
2.23 To provide public welfare advertisements and other concessions even to literary and thematic papers
being published on a quarterly, monthly, bi-monthly, tri-monthly and half yearly basis like other papers, on
the basis of categorization.
2.24 To follow the process of providing governmental public welfare advertisements or other notices to be
provided to newspapers by the concerned body through the department of Information.
2.25 To make legal provisions requiring publication and broadcasting advertisements targeting the Nepalese
market through national means of communications in cases where any foreign producer does transactions in
Nepal by appointing an authorized seller.
2.26 To follow the process of having access of advertisements even to the local means of communications
taking into consideration of the geographical diversity of the country.
2.27 To make provisions prohibiting advertisements by any means of communication, exceeding 40% of the
total area of its publication size and 40% of its total broadcasting time.
2.28 To make provision requiring any business or industrial firm, company and enterprise to expand a
minimum of 5% portion of annual profits from its transactions in advertisements in national means of
communications.
doc_694546164.pdf
Information and communications, which are indispensable infrastructures for development, possess great importance for the overall development of the country. The contribution of information and communications has played an important role for creating a healthy, civilized and cultured society based on justice and morality as envisaged by the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal, 2047(1990).
Long -term Policy of Information and Communication Sector 2059 (2003)
Table of Contents
I. Long-term policy on postal sector
II. Long-term policy on printing sector
III. Long-term policy on telecommunications sector.
IV. Long-term policy on information dissemination and journalism sector
a. Information dissemination and journalism.
b. Journalism (Gorkhapatra Corporation)
c. Journalism (National News Agency)
V. Long-term policy on broadcasting sector
a. Broadcasting sector.
b. Radio broadcasting (Radio Nepal)
c. Television broadcasting (Nepal Television)
VI. Long-term policy on motion picture
VII. Long-term policy on advertisement
Preamble
Information and communications, which are indispensable infrastructures for development, possess great
importance for the overall development of the country. The contribution of information and communications
has played an important role for creating a healthy, civilized and cultured society based on justice and
morality as envisaged by the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal, 2047(1990). The act of maintaining
sustainability of and continuity to, development by bringing about positive change in people's daily lives
through every development work conducted by the nation depends on the effectiveness of communication.
In a geographically remote and economically and educationally backward country like ours, it is indisputable
that the development, expansion and proper mobilization of the communication sector can play an effective
role in creating awareness and consciousness to every citizen and bringing them into the mainstream of
national development.
It is equally necessary that, while keeping the communication sector in line with the open, liberal and
competitive economic environment, this sector should be developed and mobilized in a business like manner
with a view to attainting economic benefits. In doing so, on the one hand the communication will become
self-reliant and the economic burden of the nation will be minimized to some extent, and the development of
the communication sector can go a long way in developing the economic and social sector and thereby
reducing the widespread poverty in the country, on the other. In the context of the private sector
investment being attracted at present in the communication sector, it is equally necessary to embrace
private initiatives emerged in this sector and move forward to build a new communication era through
healthy competition. Therefore, the Ninth Plan has given high priority to the proper development and
expansion of the information and communication sector with the objectives, inter alia, of developing
communications system required for infrastructures to extend communication services to the rural areas
throughout the Kingdom, assisting in increasing the economic growth rate while mobilizing the
communications sector, alleviating poverty which remains a serious challenges to the nation, and eradicating
social backwardness.
In pursuance of the goal of preparing a long-term policy on information and communications, in the course
of implementing the above-mentioned concepts adopted by the Ninth Plan, the policy on information and
communications has been prepared and presented, with the involvement and assistance of all governmental
and non-governmental bodies related with the information and communications sector.
Major long-term policies on information and communications sector
Major long-term policies to be pursued for co-coordinative development of the information and
communications sector are as follows:-
1. To develop the information and communications sector up to the rural level in a coordinative and
competitive manner, while using proper modern technology and means of communications invented
in the world at the moment.
2. To make postal service autonomous, keep on developing it as an institution capable of rendering
professional, competitive and quality services as demanded by the customers and make it self-
reliant economically.
3. To make security printing autonomous, develop and operate it as an institution capable of rendering
professional and standard services.
4. To extend local telephone service and reliable trunk service to main places of the Kingdom of Nepal
in such a manner also to contribute to economic development, and extend telecommunications
service up to the rural areas, with a goal of providing 15 line telephones per hundred persons.
5. In tune with the main spirit of the freedom of opinion and expression and the right of every citizen
to demand and receive information on any matter of public importance as guaranteed with priority
by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 2047 (1990), to make means of information and
communications competitive, reliable, effective and strong.
6. To develop healthy, honored, professional and institutional journalism.
7. To develop the Department of Information as an information imparting center disseminating
information about activities of His Majesty's Government to the general public and in and outside
the country.
8. To develop the Press council as a representative body of the print media, and make it a body
equipped with required resources and capable of having conduct in consonance with a certain code
of conduct and developing responsible professional journalism.
9. To involve the private sector in the operation of Gorkhapatra Corporation with a view to conducting
print media by the private sector in a competitive manner.
10. To consolidate and diversify services of the agency by adopting modern technology in collection,
edition and distribution of news, and also involve the private in the management of the Agency.
11. In order to fully establish the right of the people to information guaranteed by the Constitution of
the Kingdom of Nepal, to form an administrative unit to monitor diversity and effectiveness of
broadcasting materials and ensure management of broadcasting system, and keep on extending the
radio, television and internet information system throughout the Kingdom on proportional basis.
12. To establish a national Broadcasting Authority as a regulatory body for coordinative and competitive
development and regulation of broadcasting sector with a view to disseminating health,
entertaining, knowledge and information by making electronic broadcasting means competitive and
reliable and operate radio and television broadcasting effectively.
13. To develop the Radio Nepal and the Nepal Television as national broadcasting institutions by
developing proper physical infrastructures.
14. To give priority to the making of Nepalese motion pictures on the language of nation and national
languages and encourage the private sector to develop Nepal as a place of international film
activities.
15. To encourage and manage contribution of advertisement business to national economy by
strengthening this business as a national industry.
16. To monitor the language, style and cultural subject matter used in advertisement and make
advertisement lively and effective.
I. Long-term policy relating to postal sector
1. Objective:
1.1 To make postal service as an autonomous entity and develop it as an institution capable of rendering
professional, competitive and qualitative services as demanded by the customers and make it self-reliant
economically.
2. Policy/Implementation policy
2.1 Policy
2.1.1 To operate postal service as a professional, competitive, self-reliant and autonomous body.
2.1.2 To make the existing service reliable and competitive and keep on operating other new services such
as electronic-post in postal sector by giving priority to the interests of customers.
2.1.3 To develop physical infrastructures for modernization and have mechanization and review of mailing
lines and operate surface post service through own source.
2.1.4 To develop human resources and adopt various measures to encourage the working human resources.
2.1.5 To emphasize philatelic promotion.
2.1.6 To also utilize movable and immovable properties of postal service in business-oriented use.
2.1.7 To have participation of the local body and private sector in operation of postal service.
2.1.8 To regulate and manage services of postal nature operated by the private sector, and also to
encourage the private sector in operation of such services.
2.1.9 In consonance with the concept of decentralization, to arrange for operation of the additional postal
service operated in the local level by the local level to the extent possible.
2.2 Working strategy
First stage
2.2.1 To form a capable and empowered postal service board at the beginning.
2.2.2 To make timely change in existing postal related services and make them capable of being operated
professionally.
2.2.3 To extend postal services to all village development committees, and review organization and human
resources as per necessity and ascertain the standard of postal service and human resources based on
transactions.
2.2.4 To do feasibility study for operation of posts operated in the rural areas by the local body itself and
get them operated accordingly if deemed feasible.
2.2.5 To keep on widely expanding internal express service.
2.2.6 To keep on arranging for registration and distribution of foreign parcels at all district posts.
2.2.7 To keep on expanding services with as many countries as possible towards direction of globalization of
international express mail service.
2.2.8 To establish a separate office for express mail.
2.2.9 To keep on gradually expanding activity of registration and distribution of international express mail
service also in other cities, in addition to Kathmandu.
2.2.10 To enforce track and trace system of postal goods in domestic and international express service.
2.2.11 To review all mailing lines and establish new mailing lines as per necessity and cancel unnecessary
mailing lines.
2.2.12 To prepare postal manuals.
2.2.13 To implement postal code number in a compulsory and effective manner.
2.2.14 To bring effectiveness in postal goods supply system.
2.2.15 To build, improve and expand buildings of central offices, regional directorates and district and area
postal offices.
2.2.16 To enhance physical infrastructures and capacity of postal training center.
2.2.17 To consolidate money order service and expand it to international sector, as well.
2.2.18 To consolidate and expand saving bank service.
2.2.19 To keep on increasing the revolving fund to make effective provision of domestic and foreign money
order.
2.2.20 To give priority to publication of postal stamps of such kind that reflects cultural and touristy value
of the nation and have competition in postal stamp designing.
2.2.21 To fix service standards.
2.2.22 To make inspection process effective in order to mitigate postal crimes.
2.2.23 To adopt various measures to attract and encourage the human resources serving in postal service.
2.2.24 To open mail centers in other places too, besides Kathmandu, based on density of postal goods.
2.2.25 To operate various agency services such as fax, cash on delivery, postal giro, email, electronic data
interface and inter-net service, towards making the postal service reliable.
Second stage
2.2.26 To regulate and manage courier services operated by the private sector and increase participation
with private couriers as per necessity.
2.2.27 To expand electronic posts.
2.2.28 To bring about participation of the private sector in the use and development of land, buildings and
other movable and immovable properties belonging to posts.
2.2.29 To study market and operate feasible new services.
2.2.30 To make the postal training center capable of also operating trainings of international level and
prepare capable manpower.
2.2.31 To identify and operate new financial services.
2.2.32 To expand and promote philatelic service in a professional manner and keep on expanding philatelic
branches in feasible places.
2.2.33 To establish a postal museum.
2.2.34 To establish a mail center of international standards near the international airport.
Third phase
2.2.35 After building infrastructures for self-reliance by the Board, to convert it into an autonomous
corporation capable of competing with the private sector.
2.2.36 To arrange for surface mail transport through one's own means.
2.2.37 To have mechanization in major posts.
Fourth phase
2.2.38 To achieve self-dependency economically.
2.2.39 To keep on operating services of customer's choice in a standard manner.
II. Long-term policy on printing sector
1. Objective
1.1 To make security printing autonomous, develop and operate it as an institution capable of rendering
professional and standard services.
1.2 To render professional printing services to government and non-government bodies until the security
printing system is fully operational.
1.3 To arrange for mechanism required for coordinative development of the printing sector.
1.4 To encourage to keep on developing private sector printing industries.
2. Policies/working policies
2.1 To make timely change in the exiting printing and press technology related laws and make them timely.
2.2 To do away with duplicity in the printing policy of His Majesty's Government.
2.3 To carry out construction works of first phase (security printing) of the state-of-art building required for
the Department within the Ninth Plan period.
2.4 To develop the security printing as a security printing press that prints publications of which secrecy has
to be maintained and security printing materials such as postal stamp, air letter, bank cheque, passport,
visa, air ticket, revenue sticker and revenue slip.
2.5 To arrange for transport carrier for the carriage of raw materials and prepared materials within the
Ninth Plan period.
2.6 To do various business printing on timely matters of governmental bodies within the Ninth Plan period.
2.7 To commence two-colored postal stamp and revenue ticket/sticker within the Ninth Plan period.
2.8 To place the Department of Printing under the Ministry of Finance in the future and operate security
printing in an effective manner.
2.9 To form a capable and empowered security printing board.
2.10 To gradually decrease the letter press technology and develop offset (wet and dry) press technology.
2.11 To produce capable manpower for the operation and maintenance of printing service within the Ninth
and Tenth Plan period.
2.12 To prepare all infrastructures for security printing and complete the second phase of works (currency
printing press) of building and also arrange for importing and installing machineries and equipment required
for paper currency within the Ninth Plan period.
2.13 To make timely improvement of printing and remain active towards achieving financial self-reliance.
2.14 To hand over the business of printing Nepal Gazette to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary
Affairs within the Ninth Plan period, and also abandon printing acts other than security printing of other
bodies and four-colored standard printing.
2.15 To establish state-of-the art printing machines and operate additional security printing service.
2.16 To use modern technologies such as Nylo, Gravure and intaglio process instead of works such as mono
type/block making within the Tenth Plan period.
2.17 To carry on secret and standard business oriented printing, along with security printing, within the
Tenth Plan period.
2.18 To start printing of paper currency and carry out security printing only from the Tenth Plan period.
2.19 To establish state-of-the art printing machines in the Twelfth Plan, operate all kinds of security printing
services in the country and render standard security printing services and become self-reliant.
2.20 To so provide for a printing council as to have representation of authentic organizations relating to
printing for the development, expansion, and promotion of the private sector printing industries as well as
for coordinative development of the printing sector.
2.21 To operate other presses in a business like manner, by His Majesty's Government, than presses of His
Majesty's Government developed as security printing.
2.22 To open timely technical institutes in participation of the private sector in order to prepare required
manpower relating to press in Nepal.
III. Long term policy on telecommunications sector
1. Objectives
1.1 To have development and expansion of telecommunications means competitively in such manner as to
maintain regional balance.
1.2 To extend local telecommunications service and reliable trunk service in important places in the
Kingdom of Nepal in a manner also to contribute to economic development, and extend the
telecommunications service to the rural level with a goal of 15 telephone lines per hundred people by the
end of the Twelfth Plan.
1.3 To develop this sector as an infrastructure of the overall social and economic development by
emphasizing the research, use and expansion of the information communications technology.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 Policy
2.1.1 To develop the telecommunications sector in a competitive environment by expanding the existing
services, starting new services and increasing quality standards of services and to get the private sector
involved in expanding the telecommunications service in the rural areas, as well.
2.1.2 To make frequency management effective.
2.1.3 To pursue appropriate strategy to attract capital required for development of the telecommunications
sector.
2.1.4 To keep on making timely and strengthening the regulatory body in order to enhance the private
sector investment in competitive development of the telecommunications service.
2.1.5 To expand the telecommunications service in a manner to have 15 lines of telephone per hundred
people by the end of the Twelfth Plan.
2.1.6 To encourage the use of modern technology to diversify and upgrade standards of the
telecommunications service and do or cause to be done, research and development acts in order to
gradually have required means and resources in the country and reduce importation and increase reliability
of the service.
2.1.7 To render assistance for the development of sectors such as agriculture, tourism, health, industry,
commerce, postal service, information technology by building national information infrastructure, taking into
account of possibility of faster information flow that can be achieved from various means of communication
in the social and economic sectors of the country.
2.1.8 To generate and develop capable manpower.
2.1.9 If Nepal becomes a member of the World Trade Organization, to have according management in view
of competition that may occur in the telecommunications sector.
2.1.10 To use appropriate telecommunications technology taking into consideration of the country's
geographical remoteness.
2.2 Working policy
2.2.1 To develop and operate the telecommunications sector in a competitive environment by expanding
the existing services, starting new services and increasing quality standards of services.
2.2.2 In the context where the telecommunications systems requiring frequency have started being used
extensively and such systems are being developed speedily, to consolidate the organizational structure of
frequency management and make it effective.
2.2.3 To review and update the national frequency plan.
2.2.4 To coordinate and implement acts on the uses of orbital slot to be used by Nepal at the international
level.
2.2.5 To pursue appropriate strategy for the competitive development of the telecommunications sector and
attract the private sector capital investment.
2.2.6 To expand the capacity of Nepal Telecommunications Authority in knowledge and use of new
technologies found out in the world and regulation of telecommunications regulation.
2.2.7 To have 15 lines basic telephone per hundred people by the end of the Twelfth Plan by expanding the
capacity of telephone exchanges and establishing new exchanges and expand wireless telephone service as
per necessity.
2.2.8 To provide services in those village development committees of the Kingdom deprived of the
telecommunications service so far and extend the same up to wards.
2.2.9 To establish an Internet Node at the district headquarters in participation of the private sector in such
a manner as to assist acts such as tele-medicine, distance learning, tele-processing and e-commerce as well
as develop infrastructures of telecommunications.
2.2.10 To establish, or cause to be established, tele-centers through out the Kingdom for the flow of
information required for the overall development of the country.
2.2.11 To develop and promote programs on the use of modern technologies such as optical fiber, wireless
and satellite communications for the development of overall infrastructures.
2.2.12 To do, or cause to be done, research and development acts in order to encourage the use of modern
technology in the telecommunications sector and upgrade standards of the existing service.
2.2.13 To prepare national information infrastructure to render assistance for the development of
agriculture, tourism, health, industry, commerce, postal service, information technology sector etc. taking
into account of convergence of broadcasting, telecommunications and computer. To build national
information superhighway and north south information highway and also to link Nepal with broad band
information network with other parts of the world.
2.2.14 To encourage the private sector, as well, to prepare capable manpower required for the
telecommunications sector.
2.2.15 To so improve the organizational structure of Nepal Telecommunications Authority that it can act in a
competitive environment.
2.2.16 To have full competition in all kinds of telecommunications services from 2004 A.D.
IV. Information flow and journalism sector
(A) Information flow and journalism
1. Objective
1.1 In tune with the main spirit of the freedom of opinion and expression and the right of every citizen to
demand and receive information on any matter of public importance as guaranteed with priority by the
Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 2047 (1990), to make means of information and communications
competitive, reliable, effective and strong.
1.2 To develop healthy, honored, professional and institutional journalism.
1.3 To develop the Department of Information as an information imparting center flowing information about
activities of His Majesty's Government to the general public and in and outside the country.
1.4 To develop the Press Council as a representative body of the print media, and make it a body equipped
with required resources and capable of having conduct in consonance with a certain code of conduct and
developing responsible professional journalism.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 With a view to integrating the information dissemination and journalism related bodies including the
Department of Information, Press Council and Nepal Journalist Federation and operating them in a
coordinative manner in consonance with the concept of media village, to develop necessary infrastructures
for these bodies and associate the developed infrastructures with the objectives of these bodies and utilize,
or cause to be utilized, them in an integrated manner.
2.2 To develop the Department of Information as an information disseminating center to act as an
institution bearing responsibility of a principal body disseminating information of His Majesty's Government
by maintaining coordination among public information officers or spokespersons of various bodies of His
Majesty's Government.
2.3 To operate capable and effective public information bureaus in major places of the Kingdom of Nepal
and to establish and operate modern information network between such bureaus and the Department of
Information.
2.4 To arrange for study, research, interaction and exchange of visits between native and foreign
journalists.
2.5 To establish modern information network between central and local bodies of His Majesty's Government
and the Department of Information and information centers.
2.6 To strengthen photo laboratory and establish photo gallery.
2.7 To help develop a knowledge-based society by developing libraries and reading rooms in the
Department of Information and information centers so that the general people may read newspapers, books
and booklets.
2.8 To provide journalists with opportunity for trainings and studies in and outside the country for the
development of professional efficiency of the journalism sector.
2.9 To develop means of information as a national capital investment industry.
2.10 To keep on promoting public welfare advertisement dissemination so as to make environment
conducive to the competitive development of professional journalism.
2.11 To develop the Press council as an independent and capable representative body of the print media,
and strengthen it to observe and get observed journalist code of conduct.
2.12 To make evaluation system of newspapers and evaluation objective and transparent by providing
autonomy to the distribution examination committee and making it capable and strengthened.
2.13 To provide for law on the right to information in order to guarantee the right to information conferred
by the Constitution.
2.14 To protect and promote the rights and interests of the working journalists.
2.15 For the purpose of extending access to information and communication to the general public, to
establish the community information center with the local participation and encourage to develop and
operate community information centers.
2.16 To make access of Nepalese communication means global in a gradual manner and create environment
such that newspapers published in Nepal can also reach foreign markets easily.
2.17 To render special assistance to the journalism related institutions in order to promote and encourage
dignified, standard, responsible and professional journalism.
2.18 To create appropriate environment for the development other various disciplines of journalism
inclusive of photo journalism, cartoon, information-oriented publication and broadcasting and internet on-
line.
2.19 To give permission to any person, organization or company to operate a maximum of any two means
out of publication house, news agency, radio broadcasting institution and television broadcasting institution;
and in so giving permission, to have a provision that only up to 40 percent of the total investment may be
invested in the second means.
2.20 To establish a data exchange system between the department of Information and information bureaus
of SAARC countries.
2.21 To arrange for training, orientation, study etc. in order to enhance capacity of the manpower
associated with the journalism sector.
2.22 As sufficient native investment is being made in the Nepalese journalism sector, not to accept foreign
investment for the development of print media.
(B) Journalism (Gorkhapatra Corporation)
1. Objectives
1.1 To involve the private sector in the operation of the Gorkhapatra Corporation with a view to conducting
print media by the private sector in a competitive manner.
1.2 To develop it as a publishing house by using modern technology.
1.3 To remain active in the development and promotion of Nepalese literature (bangmaya), by rendering
contribution to the institutional development of standard, healthy and objective journalism.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To arrange for the operation of the Gorkhapatra Corporation competitively with participation of the
private sector, and flow shares of the Gorkhapatra Corporation at the first stage.
2.2 To develop the Gorkhapatra Corporation as a publishing house.
2.3 To pursue the publication policy as follows.
a. To public such reading materials that may enhance faith in the basic values, norms and structure of
the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 2047 (1990).
b. To publish such features and articles that may be useful for citizens of all sectors, classes and
professions and such materials that may safeguard the languages, cultures, customs and usages of
all the castes and tribes.
c. To publish such kinds of materials that may discourage activities such as social evils, deformities
and unsocial activities and injustice and oppression.
d. To make the general people understand the importance of national heritages and encourage them
to be aware for their protection and promotion.
e. To publish such materials that may build enthusiasm and self-confidence of citizens to perform a
constructive role in the nation building.
f. To publish such kinds of features and articles that may encourage the general public on activities
such as protection of forests, plantation, pollution control etc. for the environmental/ecological
balance and protection.
g. To render assistance in the upliftment of the Nepalese language and literature even outside Nepal,
particularly in those places where the Nepalese language is spoken.
h. No to give space for such material as written with personal interest and biasness, to damage any
one's character, undermine reliability of any business or organization and encourage communal
feeling.
i. Not to publish news or articles or features of such kind as are contrary to the foreign policy pursued
by the nation.
j. To arrange for trainings for fulfillment of capable manpower.
k. To pursue timely effective measures in order to make the Corporation self-reliant.
(C) Journalism (National News Agency)
1. Objectives
1.1 To consolidate and diversify services of the agency by using modern technology in collection, edition and
distribution of news, and also involve the private in the management of the Agency.
1.2 To develop the National News Agency equipped with means and resources, capable human resources
and modern technology with a view to running it competitively in tune with the changing circumstances.
1.3 To render contribution to the development of journalism through collection and distribution of impartial,
authentic, reliable and factual news.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To enhance physical capacity of the National News Agency and consolidate and diversify its services.
2.2 To float shares in order to gradually decrease governmental participation and increase private sector
participation.
2.3 To develop the National News Agency as an autonomous and self-reliant organization collecting and
disseminating impartial and factual news.
2.4 To provide for maintaining records of materials collected by the National News Agency and having
access of the customers to the news materials placed in records.
2.5 Also to develop the National News Agency as a source of news required for printing and electronic
means of communication.
2.6 To collect, edit, disseminate and exchange such news that contributes to protection and promotion of
national interest and democracy and social upliftment.
2.7 To provide news and articles on social, economic, political and cultural matters of the country as well as
other matters of public interest.
2.8 To collect and disseminate news of national and international importance in consonance with the foreign
policy pursued by the nation.
2.9 To develop and mobilize capable human resources in order to render standard services.
2.10 To sell and distribute standard news and articles and features and keep on adding timely services in
order to bring about additional sources.
2.11 To have a permanent correspondent of the National News Agency in each district and have
correspondents of the National News Agency in important places abroad as per necessity in a gradual
manner.
2.12 To keep on using appropriate technology to render news services.
2.13 To produce and sell and distribute pictures and audio-visual materials appropriate for means of
communications.
2.14 To development infrastructures for the development and self-reliance of the National News Agency.
V. Long-term policy on broadcasting sector
(a) Broadcasting sector
1. Objectives
1.1 In order to fully establish the right of the people to information guaranteed by the Constitution of the
Kingdom of Nepal, to form an administrative unit to monitor diversity and effectiveness of broadcasting
materials and ensure management of broadcasting system, and keep on extending the radio, television and
internet information system to the whole of the Kingdom on proportional basis.
1.2 To establish a national Broadcasting Authority as a regulatory body for coordinative and competitive
development and regulation of broadcasting sector with a view to flowing health, entertaining, knowledge
and information by making electronic broadcasting means competitive and reliable and operate radio and
television broadcasting effectively.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 Taking into consideration of the obligations to be assumed by His Majesty's government for the
development of the broadcasting sector and adjustment of technological development, to maintain
competitive environment with active participation of the private sector.
2.2 To establish a national broadcasting authority with participation of the private sector, as well, in order to
regulate broadcasting institutions and their broadcasting.
2.3 In view of technological development rapidly taking place in the broadcasting sector and its cost
structure, to enhance the radio and television broadcasting sector. To arrange for provision of audio-visual
materials at low cost through available new technology such as satellite reception in rural areas, in
particular.
2.4 To study various alternatives for having joint investment of the private sector and organizations under
ownership of His Majesty's Government for the development of broadcasting sector and enforce such
alternatives.
2.5 To encourage particularly the matters relating to natural characteristics, religion, culture and heritages
of Nepal to produce Nepalese programs. To develop cooperative relationship with program producing
native/foreign institutions on production of such joint programs. To evaluate the demand of world market for
qualitative programs on natural features, religion and heritages of Nepal and make arrangements
accordingly.
2.6 To use broadcasting with involvement of the governmental and non-governmental sector for distance
education system.
2.7 In view of the convergence of information and communications technology, to render assistance in
making clear policy and law on the ownership of governmental and non-governmental sector.
2.8 To keep on categorizing and guiding broadcasting institutions in consonance with their objectives while
operating broadcasting institutions at the private sector. To identify obligations to be borne by fully
professional or profit-oriented broadcasting institutions for enhancing public awareness and facilities which
the nation can provide to broadcasting institutions operated for upliftment of the community and make
necessary arrangements.
2.9 To establish a broadcasting academy as an autonomous body to do develop human resources by
organizing trainings and symposiums from time to time, enhance broadcasting materials and study and
research on timely broadcasting technology.
2.10 To make provision for availing opportunity available for the well-being of the nation through
broadcastings of international standard in tune with the development taking place in broadcasting
technology, remain alter against possible threats and control/restrict such broadcasting in view of national
interest.
2.11 To emphasize establishment of an integrated information system in the district headquarters in the
Kingdom in such a manner that people are benefited from provision of means of multi-mass media such as
television, radio, telephone, internet with a view to expanding access of general public to information by
encouraging the use of community communication means at the local level.
2.12 Since there is no situation where investment required for the use of modern technology available in
the broadcasting sector can be met from domestic sector only, to have participation of foreign investment
not exceeding 25 percent for development of the broadcasting sector until this situation is improved.
(b) Radio broadcasting (Radio Nepal)
1. Objectives
1.1 To develop Radio Nepal as a national broadcasting institution by developing proper physical
infrastructures.
1.2 To use timely technologies in order to extend the broadcasting of Radio Nepal throughout the Kingdom
of Nepal and the Nepalese people residing in neighboring countries.
1.3 To make necessary provision to produce and broadcast programs taking into account that it is highly
required that programs broadcast by Radio Nepal should be knowledgeable, informative, standard and of
public interest.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To make Radio Nepal broadcasting Kingdom-wide and easily available by using appropriate technology.
2.2 To produce/cause to be produced effective and popular radio programs and broadcast them.
2.3 To bring development-oriented and educational programs and information such as agriculture,
education, health, tourism, science and technology, good governance, by protecting the right of the people
to be informed through radio broadcasting.
2.4 To broadcast programs on various economic, social and cultural aspects of the country and enhance
national interest and unity.
2.5 To broadcast news and views in an impartial, efficient, reliable and professional manner.
2.6 To broadcast foreign service programs in international languages in order to provide foreign listeners
with information about Nepal.
2.7 To establish a network of such type as t o disseminate information immediately from any part of the
country.
2.8 To take proper steps towards madding the radio broadcasting self-reliant and self-dependent
economically.
2.9 To diversify radio programs and broadcast educational, informative and entertaining programs from
different channels for mass people, and keep on increasing program broadcasting time.
2.10 To get the private sector, too, involved so order to develop the radio broadcasting competitively.
2.11 To make provision of capable, efficient and trained manpower to make programs standard, interesting
and effective.
2.12 To have public opinion about the effects of programs on the society and improve and refine programs
accordingly.
2.13 To launch programs in the national languages in order to develop various national languages of the
country and to develop culture, art, music and literature in every sector of the country.
2.14 To provide radio service to cent percent people by using appropriate technology and pursuing the
process of joint participation with the private sector.
2.15 To produce and broadcast programs on various national languages for making regional broadcasting
source-oriented.
2.16 To gradually replace old technology in the course of using new technology, and keep on using
sustainable and standard technology developed at the international market.
2.17 To produce and broadcast educational, informative and entertaining programs in order to provide
opportunity for the mass people to be informed.
2.18 To develop Radio Nepal as an autonomous and responsible body by making timely improvements in
the Acts and Regulations.
(c) Television broadcasting (Nepal Television)
1. Objectives
1.1 To develop Nepal Television as a national broadcasting institution by developing proper physical
infrastructures.
1.2 To use timely technologies in order to extend the broadcasting of Nepal Television throughout the
Kingdom of Nepal and the Nepalese people residing in neighboring countries.
1.3 To make necessary provision to produce interesting materials taking into account that it is highly
required that programs broadcast by Nepal Television should be standard and of public interest, after
making Nepal Television technologically equipped.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To make Nepal Television broadcasting Kingdom-wide and easily available by using appropriate
technology.
2.2 With a view to increasing production of standard programs which are timely and interesting to the
people and increasing programs of Nepalese culture, arts and life-style by competing foreign channels
receivable through satellite, to have the concept of second channel and produce/cause to be produced
effective and popular programs and broadcast them accordingly.
2.3 To bring development-oriented and educational programs and information such as agriculture,
education, health, tourism, science and technology, good governance, by protecting the right of the people
to be informed through television broadcasting.
2.4 To broadcast programs on various economic, social and cultural aspects of the country and enhance
national interest and unity.
2.5 To broadcast news and views in an impartial, efficient, reliable and professional manner.
2.6 To establish a network of such type as to disseminate information immediately from any part of the
country.
2.7 To take proper steps towards madding the television broadcasting self-reliant and self-dependent
economically.
2.8 To diversify television programs and broadcast educational, informative and entertaining programs from
different channels for the mass people, and keep on increasing program broadcasting time.
2.9 To get the private sector, too, involved so order to develop the television broadcasting competitively.
2.10 To make provision of capable, efficient and trained manpower to make programs standard, interesting
and effective.
2.11 To have public opinion about the effects of programs on the society and improve and refine programs
accordingly.
2.12 To develop Nepal Television as an autonomous and responsible body by making timely improvements
in the Acts and Regulations.
VI. Long-term policy on motion picture sector
1. Objectives
1.1 To give priority to the making of Nepalese motion pictures on the language of nation and national
language and encourage the private sector to develop Nepal as a place of international film activities.
1.2 To safeguard Nepalese language, arts and culture.
1.3 To make Nepalese motion pictures of such type as to introduce Nepal to the world.
1.4 To attract foreign investment, as well, in the field of making motion pictures.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To make effective the functions of Motion Picture Development Board formed for competitive and
coordinative development and promotion of the Nepalese motion picture sector.
2.2 To provide such appropriate facilities to the native motion picture industries to import raw materials as
are available to other industries.
2.3 To create environment that production processing works of Nepalese motion pictures can be made in
Nepal.
2.4 To create the environment where artists and technical manpower involved in the film industry can get
necessary training and encouragement.
2.5 To encourage all parties involved in the field of production and exhibition of motion pictures produced in
the language of the nation and national languages of Nepal.
2.6 To do study and research of Nepalese motion pictures.
2.7 To create the environment where foreign investment and joint investment is attracted in the production
of motion pictures.
VII. Long-term policy on advertisement
1. Objectives
1.1 To encourage and manage contribution of advertisement business to national economy by strengthening
this business as a national industry.
1.2 To promote advertisement as a main source of income in order to develop fair and free means of
communications.
1.3 To monitor the language, style and cultural subject matter used in advertisement and make
advertisement lively and effective.
2. Policy/working policy
2.1 To make arrangements for specification of clear powers and duties of all parties related with ideal
advertisement-advertisement provider, advertisement entrepreneur, means of communications and
consumer.
2.2 To make a code of conduct to protect the values, norms, culture and ideals of the Nepalese society in
consonance with the spirit of the Constitution of the kingdom of Nepal.
2.3 To have authoritative organization of Nepal advertisement entrepreneurs involved in making policy
related directly or indirectly with advertisement.
2.4 To enlist the advertisement business as an industry and make provision for granting necessary facilities
and concessions.
2.5 The means of communications are to promote advertisement market in consonance with the concept of
advertisement flow cycle.
2.6 In admitting multinational companies relating to advertisement business, to make mandatory a certain
investment and guarantee of foreign advertisement as well as minimum twenty percent native participation
and also to include a term to promote Nepalese labor, skills and business.
2.7 To make provision for having monitoring and evaluation of advertisements broadcast/published in
electronic media (audio-visuals), print media and digital media and external advertisements through the
concerned organizations or independent bodies formed with their representation. For this purpose, to form
one impartial, independent, representative advertisement censor board.
2.8 To have certain qualifications, capacity and infrastructures specified through a recognized advertisement
agency, organization for advertisement entrepreneurs who intend to carry on advertisement business, and
enforce the integrated registration system on the basis thereof.
2.9 To take initiative for getting the advertisement related subject included in curricula and encourage to
establish advertisement schools and advertisement training institutes and provide advertisement
entrepreneurs with proper opportunity of trainings and studies.
2.10 With a view to pursuing national perspective in advertisement production, to give priority to the use of
Nepalese labor, skill and technology and provide for charging additional fees on advertisement materials
produced abroad.
2.11 The language, pronunciation and presentation to be used in advertisements should have Nepaliness.
2.12 To categorize advertisements as follows, taking into account of the nature of advertisement, objective
of advertisement and its impacts.
a. Business advertisement:- Any advertisements to be made with object to promote sale of goods and
services, such as advertisement of introduction of new goods, filmy advertisement, price fluctuation
advertisement, tender, contract or notices.
b. Public welfare advertisement:- Any advertisements to be made not from business motive but from
social welfare viewpoint such as agriculture, health, education, public interest and information and
good wishes and condolences.
2.13 To make legal arrangements for trademark of advertisement material and copyright relating to
institution.
2.14 To encourage advertisements to be made through computer technology like internet.
2.15 So as to stop broadcasting of advertisements which exaggerate goods directly affecting the health of
the consumers such as food, beverages, drugs etc and spread unnecessary confusion, to make provision
requiring permission of the concerned official body prior to making advertisement of such goods.
2.16 With a view to increasing financial sources of the means of communications and also contributing to
business of advertisement sponsors and advertisement entrepreneurs, to make provision for categorizing
productions and broadcasting their advertisements in the certain period of time, and reevaluate the
restriction imposed on the broadcasting of advertisements liquors and tobacco products through electronic
media in accordance with the standards set by the World Health Organization.
2.17 Even though advertisement agencies are registered as large, medium and small and cottage industries
in Nepal, their categorization in terms of transaction, income tax and other social obligation is expedient; so,
to categorize agencies on grounds of initial capital investment, annual transactions, number of employees
engaged in agency, involvement in various means of communications, physical infrastructures, etc. It would,
normally, be appropriate to categorize agencies into at least four categories.
2.18 To make provision for dobbing the material of advertisement, by the Nepalese media, in the Nepalese
language and to discourage acts such that audio is Nepali but visual is foreign.
2.19 To make the license system for production of feature films, documentaries and public welfare and
professional advertisements practicable and fix separate fees.
2.20 In the case of outdoor advertisement means, to specify appropriate size and place for neon shine, glow
shine, hoarding and banner and manage them in such a manner that they do not affect the public life and
stop advertisement through wall poster and wall painting.
2.21 To make provision for making available advertisements to newspapers and means of broadcasting on
the basis of categorization and provide other concessions, as well, on that proportion.
2.22 To create environment that advertisements are provided by governmental or private sector industrial
enterprises or bodies to the private sector papers on the basis of categorization.
2.23 To provide public welfare advertisements and other concessions even to literary and thematic papers
being published on a quarterly, monthly, bi-monthly, tri-monthly and half yearly basis like other papers, on
the basis of categorization.
2.24 To follow the process of providing governmental public welfare advertisements or other notices to be
provided to newspapers by the concerned body through the department of Information.
2.25 To make legal provisions requiring publication and broadcasting advertisements targeting the Nepalese
market through national means of communications in cases where any foreign producer does transactions in
Nepal by appointing an authorized seller.
2.26 To follow the process of having access of advertisements even to the local means of communications
taking into consideration of the geographical diversity of the country.
2.27 To make provisions prohibiting advertisements by any means of communication, exceeding 40% of the
total area of its publication size and 40% of its total broadcasting time.
2.28 To make provision requiring any business or industrial firm, company and enterprise to expand a
minimum of 5% portion of annual profits from its transactions in advertisements in national means of
communications.
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