This online Web TV will now enable general people and Tibetans around the world in particular an easy access to televised video news related to Tibetan Government in Exile and Tibetan issues.

In today's booming global IT world, Internet has become one of the most reliable and fastest medium of communication for mass. To many Tibetans, scattered around the world in small numbers, Internet has now become the only source to resort for daily news update on Tibet and get in touch with Tibetan issues. With the launch of the televised video news Web site, it will further enhance the connectivity among the Tibetan Diaspora.

Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche along side Kalon Lobsang Nyandak Zayul, Minister for Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), today officially launched the TibetOnline.tv for public use at the function here, which started from noon. Kalon for Health and Education, Mr. Thupten Lungrig, Departmental Secretaries of CTA, Non-Governmental representatives and media groups were among the other people who attended the Ceremony.

In his inaugural statement at the press conference today, Kalon Lobsang Nyandak Zayul, Minister for Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), said that this web TV would be very prospective in bringing Tibetans around the world to get closer in touch with their Government in Exile. In doing so, Mr. Zayul is very hopeful that this Web TV will also contribute in keeping the Tibetan community socially and culturally well connected and intact and politically well informed in the long run.

Earlier at an official ceremony, Mr. Zayul reportedly said, "This online TV could well become a rallying point for Tibetans worldwide," adding "distance often uproots people from their social and cultural moorings. The Tibetan exiles will therefore hail any such initiatives that will keep their community connected and close-knit."

Besides devoting a bulk of its coverage on the accomplishments and teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on both domestic and international arenas, the TibetOnline.tv has a list of channels and archives to explore like; TibetTV News, Tibet Policy, Tibetan issues, feature presentations, CTA special programs, Tibet related website links, CTA Audio and Video catalogs etc., that might be of special interests and need to Tibetans and general people.

However, the official press release earlier expressed with regrets that the benefit of this web TV may not reach the Tibetans inside Tibet, given Chinas increasing success in censoring Internet, as it does in all other mediums of communication. But this may not be their worrying concern, as CTA has something else to keep their work going. This is evident from Kalon Lobsang Nyandak's earlier words in the official press release.

"In the light of changing social patterns, particularly the young, increasingly relying on the Internet for news and information, the web TV will go a long way in getting across the policies and works of the Central Tibetan Administration, realizing thereby one of the cardinal objectives of the Kashag: transparency," Kalon Zayul said.

With its Audio Archive soon to be functional, Mr. Zayul is hopeful to increase the frequency of news videos on tibetonline.tv from its initial monthly at present to fortnightly, to weekly and ultimately to daily.

Although, much of the online TV news coverage will be in Tibetan language, however there are other features that are covered in English.

Hailing the successful launch of the Web TV, Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdong Rinpoche, in his inaugural speech, applauded everyone involved in the task of making it a success and told them to continue their hardwork consistently to serve the objectives for which the Online TV has been so purposefully launched and further suggested improving its features if necessary.

To achieve more proficiency and efficiency on the use of technology, Kalon Tripa said that the formulation of a standard IT policy would be at the top of the agenda for his second consecutive term in the office of Kalon Tripa, beginning 15 August as part of his administration reforms.

To know more, visit www.tibetonline.tv