DHARAMSHALA: Khawa Karpo Tibet Culture Centre (KTC), the publisher of one the exile community’s widely circulated newspapers, Bod-kyi Bangchen or The Tibet Express, today celebrated its 10th founding anniversary in Dharamsala.

Kalon Pema Chhinjor, Mr Karma Choephel, former speaker and incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary of Information and International, graced the occasion.

Founded on 18 April 2003, KTC has been publishing a weekly newspaper and maintaining a trilingual website to serve the preservation and promotion of Tibetan cultural heritage, and protect human rights and freedom of Tibetans inside Tibet and strengthen democracy in the exile Tibetan community, said Mr Serta Tsultrim, founder of KTC and member of Tibetan Parliament in his remarks.

He said KTC has focused its effort on reporting on the issue of Tibet rather than sensationalism.

Speaking on the occasion, Kalon Pema Chhinjor praised the efforts and achievements made by the Khawa Karpo Tibet Culture Centre in the preservation and promotion of Tibetan culture, language and religion, and advancement of political cause.

Kalon Pema Chhinjor said the Tibetan media in the last ten years has brought about a considerable progress in educating and raising the general public’s awareness in political matters. He stressed that the media should motivate those who lack interest in the common cause of the Tibetan people.

He underlined the media has a right to criticise the workings of any institution, but it also has the responsibility to do it truthfully and objectively.

He appealed to the media organisations to share information, photos and footages of self-immolations in Tibet with Tibetan communities based in different parts, so that they could disseminate to the international community.  

In his address, Mr Karma Choephel said the media should have a vision to bring positive change in the society and courage to bring the truth to the public.

Stressing the role of media as a source of information for the general public, he said it should report objectively and truthfully. It should have a sense of justice and maintain utmost credibility.

In his remarks, DIIR Secretary Tashi Phuntsok commended the KTC for becoming a legal and a responsible cultural and media institution in the exile Tibetan community.

Since culture is an indispensable need of a nation, the work carried out by KTC in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Tibet is very relevant and need of the hour, Mr Tashi Phuntsok said.

Describing the media as the fourth pillar of democracy, he said the Tibetan media in the free world should act the voice of the Tibetans living under the occupation and repression of the Chinese government.

He said given the prevailing critical situation in Tibet, the Tibetan media should direct their efforts towards highlighting it in the international arena.