KATHMANDU: Government’s spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gokul Baskota hinted that the government was ready to adjust the Media Council Bill by removing the provisions of fine and punishment in it.

Furnishing clarifications on the Bill at the National Assembly (NA) on Sunday, Minister Baskota said that the government will not mention the amount of fine in the bill if needed.

If the provision mentioned in the Bill is to be considered, the Council can impose a fine of Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 million to a journalist, media house, or the publisher.

Minister Baskota said the government was ready to remove the amount saying that a journalist, publisher or a media house can move the court if the Council fails to settle any dispute in this regard.

He opined that the council should be given the responsibility of seeing whether the code of conduct is complied with and making the media publish rebuttals.

Stating that a journalist getting a salary of Rs 25,000-50,000 will not be able to pay a hefty fine.