Online news websites to get public welfare ads; 4G service to be expanded across the country

The government as stated in budget for the fiscal year 2020/21 will distribute public welfare advertisements to online news portals. Presenting budget for the FY, 2020/21 at the federal parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada said to increase professionalism in journalism, efficiency development programmes for media-persons would be run and accidental insurance managed for journalists.

Information, technology telecommunication and existing broadband policy would be amended and reliable broadband internet service through fiber-to-home technology would be made available within two years. In next year, 4G service would be expanded across the country. Construction of the national knowledge park at Khumaltar in Lalitpur would be moved forward and Nepal Television would reach out to international audiences after increasing its capacity.

Cyber forensic lab would be upgraded to identify cyber security risks, minimise its risks and make emergency cyber security fast and reliable while increasing the use of information technology in public service dissemination.

A feasibility study would be carried out for the establishment of a separate cyber security centre. Scope of postal service would be expanded based on a possibility basis while restructuring postal system and making postal service modern and technology-equipped.