Kathmandu: The Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) will soon provide news in Nepal Bhasa (Newari language) to its subscribers.
In a meeting presided over by RSS Executive Chairperson Dharmendra Jha with language campaigners, media persons and members from the Language Commission, it was agreed to appoint a media person well-versed in Nepal Bhasa as well as Nepali and render news service in Nepal Bhasa at the earliest.
On the occasion, RSS Chairperson Jha outlined the RSS plan to establish standards of Nepal Bhasa and news style for dissemination of quality news in Newari language.
Arguing that languages would flourish if journalism thrives, he pledged that RSS would gradually exercise the State’s policy of inclusiveness.
It may be noted that the only RSS in the country has begun providing news service in Awadhi language in financial support from the Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City since last December and preparation is afoot to render news service in Nepal Bhasa and Maithli language.
On the occasion, Deputy G
eneral Manager Raju Shakya shared that the RSS had considered providing news service in four national languages since 2074 BS and now is ready to proceed. He expected feedbacks from the stakeholders after the launch of news service in Nepal Bhasa.
Similarly, Deputy General Manager Somnath Lamichhane shared that the proposal to provide news service in various mother languages for free of cost to subscribers was under consideration at present.
Deputy General Manager Shyam Prasad Rimal spoke of the need to recruit reporter and editors skilled in Nepali and Nepal Bhasa to sustain the service.
Also speaking in the meeting, Chief Editor Uttam Silwal and Chief of Feature Section Krishna Adhikari urged the RSS management to secure support from the local level to sustain and organize news service in Nepal Bhasa.
They viewed there should be uniformity in the opinions of stakeholders regarding services.
Member of the Commission Suresh Kiran Manandhar mentioned that the second convention of Newa Deya Dabu had decide
d to recognize Newa Bhasa as an official language in Kathmandu and suggested the media publishing news in various mother languages should be encouraged to publish RSS contents in dedicated column.
Other participants of the meeting such as Ramesh Kaji Sthapit, coordinator for Nepal Bhasa for Gorkhapatra’s ‘Naya Nepal Samabeshi Pristha’, Gyanram Shrestha, editor of E:Chappa.com, Subij Bajracharya, publisher of Newa Online news, KK Manandhar, editor of Nepal Bhasa Bureau of Image Channel television among others welcomed the RSS initiatives.
They recommended that the RSS should emphasize promotion of mother languages. They also opined that attention should be paid towards publishing contents that cater to the interest of the audiences.
The RSS plans to hold a discussion with the Maithili speaking media persons to solicit their suggestions in a bid to expand its service in the same language.
Source: National News Agency Nepal