Media Council Bill sent to Legislation Management Committee for clause-wise deliberation

Kathmandu: The National Assembly (NA) meeting has sent the ‘Media Council Bill-2080 BS’ to the Legislation Management Committee for clause-wise deliberation.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, on Monday, presented the proposal seeking a clause-wise deliberation on the Bill. The NA meeting unanimously endorsed the proposal.

The Bill, which is deemed significant to implement the Mass Communication Policy as well, is needed to establish the Media Council as an autonomous regulatory body to maintain professional conduct in the journalism sector, to promote self-regulation and to develop and protect clean, free and accountable journalism. Issues such as documentation of journalists, their professional safety, freedom of expression and self-regulation are also taken into consideration in the Bill.

Minister Sharma on April 25, 2024, had registered the Bill in the NA. The NA is meeting next on June 11 at 1:15 pm.