PCN Launches Election Code Awareness Programmes

Press Council Nepal (PCN) plans to run programmes across all major cities in the seven provinces to raise awareness about the election code of conduct and the role of media.

The government body responsible for journalist standards, media monitoring, and enforcing codes of conduct has decided to strengthen supervision of the election code of conduct ahead of the House of Representatives election on March 5.

At its 12th meeting in Salyantar, Tripurasundari Rural Municipality, Dhading, PCN decided to carry out programmes this year and next focused on studying, researching, and creating awareness about the election code of conduct, said PCN spokesperson Deepak Khanal.

The council also plans to update the list of experts who evaluate newspapers and review standards for auditing newspaper distribution. Spokesperson Khanal added that the meeting also focused on making the newspaper classification process more realistic, fair, and up-to-date.

PCN will work to improve the process for distributing its awards to make them more transparent and effective. Records of newspapers and other media outlets will also be updated, and a special plan will be developed to address challenges in this process.

The council urged all concerned parties to fully implement the election code of conduct to ensure the upcoming election is free, fair, impartial, transparent, and fear-free.

Additionally, the meeting called on media outlets in Dhading district to give priority to promoting and preserving local landmarks, including Tripurasundari Mai Bhagwati Temple, Phatik Khamba, Narsinghdham, and Bhairavi Mai Temple in Nilkantha Municipality.