Kathmandu, January 2
The removal of illegal billboards in Kathmandu and other cities across the country will increase revenue for media outlets, says Minister for Information and Communication Gokul Banskota amid criticism that the government is trying to stifle freedom of expression in the country.
Speaking at a programme in Kailali on Thursday, Minister Banskota said that he was not against press freedom, but was in favour of an independent media industry. “If the journalists are true to their ethics, Nepali journalism will be independent,” he said. “But there have been times when a journalist who should be using a pen uses a sword instead,” he said.
Banskota said that after illegal billboards are removed from various cities, advertisers will have no option but to go to media outlets to advertise their products, and this will increase revenue for the media.
