KATHMANDU: Lawmakers of the House of Representatives have laid emphasis that Media Council should be independent and effective.

During the discussion on the proposal’ Let’s consider on Nepal Media Council Bill-2076′ received from the National Assembly with message in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, they said Council should be formed making it capable to monitor media and make them systematic.

Saying the bill related to Media Council is very important, Khaga Raj Adhikari suggested making provision of formation of the Council making it independent.

Similarly, Anjana Bishankhe welcomed and supported the bill and said an arrangement of regulatory body has been made to develop, protect and promote journalism.

She mentioned that the issues regarding jurisdiction and responsibility of the Council should be cleared.

Stating that media could not be fourth power of the state as media have to write about the government, judiciary, and constitutional bodies, Prakash Snehi argued that the council should be made independent in democratic system.

Snehi mentioned that criteria and classification of media should be determined, adding some evils and aberration have been seen in media.

Likewise, Gokul Banskota stressed that formation process of the Council should be in accordance with the same for making the council autonomous.

Prem Suwal said papers required for print media has to be purchased from abroad after the closure of the factory producing such paper of the country.

Dil Kumari complained of media biasness in covering the news. As she said, some found over-media coverage while some are ditched by media even for a noticeable delivery. She questioned where the issue needs the monitoring of -like organizations.

Nawaraj Silwal insisted on providing autonomy of media council, making it more effective and accountable. He was of the opinion of discouraging news reports lacking evidences, making media more responsible to professional ethics. “Media need to be sensitive to the issues of the nation, nationality and sovereignty.”

Dibya Mani Rajbhandari stressed that practicality and international practices should be the bases of the formation and jurisdictions of the Council. “It must be inclusive and proportional.”

Chandtara Kumari said media is highly powerful in the present time and media has reached to a larger community.
Khem Prasad Lohani said media should not be left unregulated and unmonitored.

Meantime, the meeting endorsed the proposal to seek considerations over the ‘Nepal Media Council Bill, 2076 BS’ presented by Minister for Communications and Information Technology along with the message from the National Assembly.

The proposal was passed by majority.

Similarly, the meeting unanimously approved the proposal to send the Bill on Commission on the Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation (third amendment) Bill, 2079 BS to a respective committee for clause-wise deliberations.

The proposal was tabled in the meeting by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Gobinda Prasad Sharma (Koirala).
The lower house is to meet again at 2:00 pm on September 4.

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