Media Council should be free from political meddling: Lawmakers

Kathmandu, July 21: Lawmakers have stressed the need to free the Media Council from political interference.

At a discussion with the amendment proposers on the Media Council Bill during today’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) Education, Health and Information Technology Committee, the legislators suggested getting the Council freed from government control and interference. They also raised their voice to bring the bill in a way that would regulate the media and journalists, but not impose control.

During the meeting, amendment proposer Manish Jha demanded an end to political interference with the appointment of the Chairperson and members. Jha, who represents Rastriya Swatantra Party in the parliament, advised adhering to enshrine the provision of appointments in the bill in line with the recommendation of the committee, along with the experts.

Another proposer, Bijula Rayamajhi, suggested naming the bill ‘Nepal Communications Council’. She said self-regulatory practices would increase when a hassle-free environment is created for journalists to perform. Lawmaker Thakur Prasad Gaire also echoed the need to bring a bill to facilitate the media sector rather not to impose control. He recommended simplifying the provision of a penalty in the law if the collection and dissemination of fake news is proved.

Lawmaker Sher Bahadur Kunwar demanded the placement of an independent individual instead of a line ministry secretary in the process of appointing council office-bearers. ‘How could it function impartially while keeping it under the government domain? ‘ he questioned. Another lawmaker, Rajendra Prasad Pandey, underlined the need to ascertain timely monitoring of the bill and the context in which it is framed.

“Attention should be paid to the development, protection and monitoring of media to make it free and healthy, thereby developing journalism, including online and print, as a dignified, responsible and credible profession, he added. Also speaking on the occasion, proposers, including Dr Amresh Kumar Singh and Narayani Sharma, highlighted the need to promote self-regulation in media.

Lawmakers have drawn attention to routinely holding Council meetings while insisting on the provision that the members can also demand an emergency meeting of the Council.