Minister of Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara has exhibited ignorance about how the media functions by announcing a code of conduct for journalists to make the CA elections successful.

If he really meant it, he must understand that the government can't, shouldn't, and needn't force any code of conduct on the media. If his ministry doesn't get it, there is a danger it won't be able to properly advise the minister. And it may be a sign that the code is being used for political ends.

There is no indication that Minister Mahara put forward this idea as government spokesman. If he was speaking on behalf of his own Maoist party then his ministry should clarify the issue. Mahara is not trying impose a code of conduct just on the state media. This raises questions about the leadership of a ministry that doesn't seem to understand that shackling the press in any way is unacceptable.

Mahara's code of conduct idea should be an issue for the Election Commission, which had asked the political parties not to issue statements that would undermine elections. The EC can ask the media to refrain from certain actions but even that only with consultations with an institution like the Press Council. It would be natural for the EC to expect the media to create the proper conditions for polls, help in voter awareness, and ensure free and fair elections.

Mahara must know that only an independent media which takes responsibility for its own actions can safeguard its credibility. He can't direct the private media like he tries to direct the state media. If he does that he will be no different than the royal regime. In a democracy, a government never asks the media to do anything, it leaves it alone.

The conditions undermining elections are not a result of the media's actions but because of the lack of law and order, the failure to secure a political consensus and chronic violations of the peace accord.