Theoretical discussion held on Media Council Bill

Kathmandu: The Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives held a theoretical discussion on the Media Council Bill during its meeting today.

Lawmakers including Devendra Poudel, Bidya Bhattarai, Rekha Sharma, Dr. Chandra Bhandari, and Sumana Shrestha stressed the need to transform the proposed Media Council into a broader Mass Communication Council. They emphasized that the media should be encouraged to disseminate accurate and reliable information in order to uphold citizens’ right to be informed.

Noting a growing trend of media outlets issuing apologies after broadcasting or publishing false news and engaging in character assassination, the lawmakers called for the bill to include strict provisions for accountability, including compensation for defamation.

They also highlighted the need to address the emerging challenges posed by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in news production and information dissemination.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, clarified that while the bill aims to establish the Media Council as an independent and autonomous body for media self-regulation, it will not be completely detached from the government.

Minister Gurung expressed confidence that the proposed council will help bring order and regulation to the current state of disarray in the media sector.