Tibet Times celebrates 10 years in business
Monday, 15 January 2007, 2:47 p.m.
Dharamshala: One of the most popular Tibetan newspapers in exile, with readership spanning across 18 different countries, the Bod-Kyi-Dus Bab (or Tibet Times) based here marked today its 10 years of successful running, despite various hardships and constraints.
Since its inception by Rabsel and Sonam Tsering in 1996, at times when several other private newspapers in Tibetan had closed shop within a span of months, the Tibet Times gradually increased its frequency from once a month, to a fortnightly, to the present 10-day, in addition to publishing some 11 Tibetan
(from right) Speaker Karma Chophel and Kasur Lobsang Nyandak Zayul |
books, including Tibetan version of A Tibetan Revolutionary (biography of Bawa Phuntsok Wangyal), Six Stars with a Crooked Neck (on the Cultural Revolution), Speeches of Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche , etc.
The latest in the catalogue of Tibet Times’ books, A Handbook on Journalism by editor of the paper, Lungrig Gyal, was released at the founding ceremony this morning by the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Karma Chophel.
Addressing the ceremony as the chief guest, Speaker Karma Chophel underscored the fact that Tibet Times has survived for 10 years, despite all the constraints, is an indication of the people’s favorable
The editor of Tibet Times speaking at the ceremony, with Information Secretary and Chisur Hortsang Jigmey on his right. |
verdict on its reportage as accurate, fair and balanced.
Mr Chophel also said that as a newspaper is a watchdog of not only the government, but also the civil society and its various organizations, constraints and pressures are bound to come from all quarters.
The panel of speakers who addressed the Tibetan MPs, representatives from various NGOs and press fraternity, also included the secretary of the Department of Information and international Relations, Kasur Lobsang Nyandak Zayul and Chisur Hortsang Jigme.
While Information Secretary Thubten Samphel spoke on how media can not only shed light on popular views, but also create desirable sentiments in public, Kasur Lobsang Nyandak Zayul said that Tibetan newspapers should also introduce in-depth investigative and follow-up stories to produce a better outcome.
Mr Zayul further said that accurate and balanced reports boost the credibility of a newspaper, which in turn generates more respect and goodwill in its public relations.
Speaking on the prevailing language of Tibetan newspapers, Chisur Hortsang Jigme highlighted that the sustenance of the purity of a rich cultural heritage depends upon the purity and standards of its language, citing that even the Buddha has said that where the standard of language degenerates, the Buddha dharma will not survive.