| Username |
Post |
| arnico |
Posted
on 06-Dec-01 01:36 PM
The following is from Kantipuronline. Biswo and Trailokya (and Ashu if he were here), it would be interesting to read your thoughts about it.
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Govt to investigate foreign investment in media
KOL Report
KATHMANDU, Dec 6 - Minister Information and Communications Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta has said the government has formed a commission to investigate foreign involvement in media sector in Nepal.
Gupta’s comments comes close on the heels of public debate on whether the government should allow foreign investment in media in Nepal following the publication of a newspaper in Kathmandu with foreign monetary backing.
Gupta said, “ The government has formed a four member commission to investigate how foreign investment is being made in media in Nepal.” He added the commission has become necessary because laws on the issue were not vague.
The commission will present its finding and suggestions on how the government should proceed in the future and what measures it needed to take over the issue. The report will be presented within 15 days. (rk)
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| Zippy Burgermouth |
Posted
on 06-Dec-01 01:42 PM
An why just Biswo, Trailokya and Ashu?
Zippy.
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| Zippy Burgermouth |
Posted
on 06-Dec-01 01:44 PM
Just kidding Arnico. You listen to who you wanna listen to.
Zippy :-)
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 06-Dec-01 05:39 PM
Arnicoji:
I think (the formation of such investigator body) was long overdue. We always
need to do some research on such issues before deciding anything on that.
I am still uncomfortable with the government forming such impromput investigation
committee and asking for report whenever need arises. The government should
rather form a research and policy institute, and provide funding to professors who
wants to do such researches. This way, jaba bhayo raati ani budhi taati style of
working can be stopped, and government can get service of able professors
whenever it needs. Professors can do researches on the impacts of MP fund,
the impact of Nepal's burgeoning textile industries and what type of support
it needs from the government, milk bazaar, and formation of new universities etc
etc. We need several policy institutes in the country urgently to help government
cope with several problems.
Am I against foreign investment?
No.
But I am against foreign investment in media by those people whose source of
money could be political, and by those people who never did any good to Nepal in
the past.
We must understand that even though an Iraqi investment in USA can bring
jobs in USA, US will never allow such venture. It is because there are some
issues more important than temporal issues of job creation, and limited
financial opportunity.
So, when we allow foreign investment, it should be allowed in case by case
basis. Those publications who in the past have resorted to smear campaign
against Nepal shouldn't be allowed to have any investment in Nepal. Those
publications with government funding from other nations shouldn't be allowed to
have any joint venture in Nepal.
In this moment, when every political party is against such investment, allowing
foreign investment is not correct. What we don't need now is another divisive
issue. Government need to understand this.
That's my point.
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| arnico |
Posted
on 06-Dec-01 08:45 PM
Hi Zippy,
You seem to have missed an earlier heated debate on this forum at the time when the Himalayan Times started off, and the three people I mentioned repeatedly had expressed very strong opinions for or against foreign investment in Nepal. (as might have others, but I find that some of the pseudonyms don't stay in my memory very long).
To anyone else who felt left out: I apologize. I was following the tradition on this bulletin board of addressing messages to people whose previous statements or arguments left a strong impression. Perhaps you would like to start a thread discussing this and other patterns on kurakani (including the recent surge in rude messages).
Arnico.
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