Kathmandu February 5.

Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada has said that the mass communication media was not sufficiently publicizing the government’s good works. Laying the foundation stone of a building of the Tribhuvan University’s Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (CDJMC) at Balkhu today, he said the media played an important role in making the citizens aware and well-informed, therefore, it was necessary to publicise the good works done by the government. The Finance Minister stressed on the need of practicing journalism based on moral and social virtues and of incorporating the moral norms and values in the curriculum. “The use of technology should be enhanced in journalism education. Construction of a building with digital technology is its indication. The use of new and digital media has made the mass media more credible,” he said. Stating there is wider concern that the growing use of digital media might lead to a decline in the popularity of print media, he argued that the credibility of the print media would not be lessened as it has its distinct significance. He added that an Act is being formulated to developing Nepal Television and Radio Nepal as a single public broadcasting service. Noting that the government has kept research study and exploration-based education in high priority, Finance Minister said the government was providing adequate budget to the University Grants Commission for this purpose. “The government will support the development of technical, scientific and vocational education. The government will collaborate with the private sector also for the development of education,” he said, adding that the government was expanding the access of the internet at all the local levels. TU CDJMC chief Prof Chiranjivi Khanal said the Department building is going to be constructed at a cost of Rs 215 million 595 thousand. He also shared about the lack of human resources at the Department which created problems for carrying out its works in a smooth manner. Prof Khanal said the works of the Department would be made effective by managing adequate human resources. Chief of the Institute of Engineering Consultancy Service, Narayan Gautam said the building’s design has been prepared in such a way that the building would reflect the various dimensions of journalism. The new building will have a library, journalism lab, classroom which can accommodate 70 students and facility for installing the radio and television broadcasting. Coordinator of the building construction committee Dev Raj Aryal said the building will be of four and half stories and would be constructed in two years.