External channels distributer of Nepal has instantly stopped telecasting certain news channels of India. These Indian channels have been frequently flashing out the fantasies and unverified things in the news that have flawed Nepal’s national image, humiliated its international image and smudged the dignity of Nepal’s heads of government as well.

The decision of the distributor came into action after realizing that such prejudiced contents have annoyed the Nepalese viewers and questioned the identity of the nation also. Besides, the Indian government’s news channel, Doordarshan has not been stopped . Similarly, other India’s entertainment channels are not banned still in Nepal. Foreign channels, including the BBC of United Kingdom, CNN of United States and CGTN of China, have not been stopped for telecasting. In other words, there is no need to protest about cessation of these channels and news sources.

Fact or narrative?

The expositions of Indian news channels about Nepal are grounded on stories rather than truths.They are more focused to exaggerate an imaginary things. It seems that there is a tendency of using words that show contempt and disrespect for Nepal and Nepalese People.

Also, most of the men and women who are given the responsibility of the telecasting in Indian channels are found to be more conceited, arrogant, and hostile than diffident and ethical.

Here is an example of Sudhir Chaudhary, an anchor of Zee News, who twitted – ‘Nepal was scared of anchors like us, we didn’t have to send troops of army ’. After learning that his telecast has been boycotted in Nepal on Thursday (July 25). We are really surprised to see his illogical statements, low level of thinking and presentation.

 Moreover, it is the fact that these so called big names, like Chaudhrys are beloved journalists of the Ruling Party Leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The questions to be noted here is : Do these telecasters are reflecting the status of Chaudhary like person? Are they popular because of imaginary stories that are horrible, baseless and hateful ? Or they bring these issues to the public at the behest, direction or encouragement of someone or upon the guidance of other .

Looking at these kinds of incessant ill , it can be determined that the source of information, and analysis is flowing from the Indian government ministry and the intelligence agency.

 Journalists close to the Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pretend not to be objectively professional, in other words they seem to be ignorant of the world-wide code of ethics for journalists. They don’t care about the balance of news at all. Probably, the news was circulated with the response of Nepal’s ambassador to Delhi when sensitive issues were raised about the neighboring countries.

The media, which promotes the right to information of the people, is used to implement a pre-determined agenda. In reality there is no presentation of accurate information and news. It is well known that ,at this time, the rulers and administrators of Delhi have a one-sided agenda: to overthrow Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli. Since, he who is leading the government is giving more importance to China.

Such types of fancy statements regarding Prime Minister Oli must have come on from the reliable sources of India .This is because India, which is already suspicious of China due to the corona virus, was outraged after the latest encounter on the border clashes. Similarly, the idea, of Nepal issuing a new map including the Kalapani and its adjoining region, was also considered as the attempt of China’s force. Everyone has heard the accusatory statement of Chief of Army Staff Narawane. It is a fact that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly acknowledged that there are border issues left unresolved in the Kalapani region.

Negative Move:

We are much more concerned with India’s anxious relationship with China. As we know that India has trade with China on one side and border dispute on the other.

However, just because of India border dispute, Nepal cannot spoil its relations with China for no any reason. We are very much clear that, Nepal itself becomes insecure when it suddenly becomes hostile to any of the strong neighbors. Therefore, it is clear that Nepal doesn’t initiate such kinds unnecessary activities with any of its neighbouring country. Such issues should be acknowledged by India. But it has not acknowledged so far.

Even when military equipment was withdrawn from China in 2044-45, the voice of the Delhi media was as loud as it is now. But later, during a visit to Delhi, Interim Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai made it clear that the weapons that Nepal wanted to buy would be expensive in India, so they were bought cheaply from China. The Indian media had launched a propaganda campaign in 2032-33 BS with the intention of insulting Nepal in 2032-33 BS also.

According to the records, the then Prime Minister Dr. Tulsi Giri spoke harshly through a press conference. In response, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs claimed that the Indian press was completely independent. The reality was that India was in a state of crisis at the time and press freedom was in jeopardy. Moreover, Newspapers were in the private sector, but radio and television were in the public sector. If there is confusion about the source of those Indian propaganda materials targeted at Nepal, perhaps Dr. Giri’s presentation would not have been accurate.

Adverse effects and pressure

We have already discussed about Sudhir Chaudhary in the above statement.

The similar behavior is seen with Rajdeep Sardesai as well, he is seen in ‘India Today’. On the same day, Ashad 25, he tweeted regarding the boycott of some Indian channels in Nepal. He says that it is anti-Nepal propaganda. Some may have done it, let’s not talk too much. Probably, he does not belong to the Chaudharys’ group. In fact, in an article published a few years ago, Sardesai discusses the negative effects of the authorities on the media.

In fact, Sardesai, in an article published a few years ago, discusses the negative effects of the authorities on the news media. Although the press of democratic India is constitutionally independent, it is not in a position to make full use of it in practice. How government bodies subjugate press representatives and distort the news. He mentioned the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of External Affairs while discussing the issue. For example, the Foreign Ministry felt that the Prime Minister’s visit to China (2003) was a success.

While reviewing, the Indian side came to the conclusion that there was a ‘compromise’ in the case of Tibet, but the word ‘compromise’ should not be used here. In order to hang the badge of nationality, one has to write something that is not satisfactory, otherwise one will become non-national. The situation in Delhi today is not different than what the famous article in the 2006 book Making News estimated. We are aware of the spokesperson’s latest statements.

A small glimpse of the working style of Ministry of External Affairs’ propaganda was recently given by the former editor of ‘The Rising Nepal’, P. It is also found in Kharel’s “Fresh Pillar . Professor Kharel has mentioned that Nepal was in the throes of the blockade of 1989-90 when he was working in Delhi as a correspondent of Gorkhapatra Sansthan.

Nepal-India relations will be anxious until the Foreign Secretary level talks are not held. There is a high possibility that some press and television news centers in Delhi will continue to telecast fabricated stories. In Nepal, those biased channels should be boycotted and banned totally .

However, this is not a permanent solution. Experienced journalism instructor Bhanubhakta Acharya recently wrote on his Facebook page: “For the time being, even if some relief is given, it is not the solution.” Here are some practical as well as behavioral suggestions from Acharya .

The government bodies working in the field of diplomatic correspondence, the Press Council Nepal and the Federation of Nepali Journalists should be active in addressing this issue. While drawing attention to journalism and substandard presentation, FNJ needs to telecast cast its statement using English, Hindi and other languages ​​without limiting it to Nepali language.

Similarly, the Nepali representatives, of Indian news channels, who are seen involved in the propaganda should be called and necessary actions should be taken .At the same time, it seems necessary for our government to start a public debate on how to manage the media .