KATHMANDU: An international forum of the World Press Council has called for a common code of conduct to regulate new media and social media.

This was suggested by the Press Council of Nepal at the general meeting of the World Press Council held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Speaking on behalf of Nepal, Chairman of the Press Council Bal Krishna Basnet said that many efforts have been made in Nepal to make new media and social media creative, adding that it was necessary to make it dignified and systematic.

“We have made various efforts to bring social media within the ambit of the code of conduct,” he said adding that the Council was doing various things in Nepal to make it creative.

He suggested that a common code of conduct can be built by sharing experiences from all sides.

Basnet’s proposal was made at a meeting of the World Association of Press Councils (WAPC) that began on Wednesday.

He also suggested that the media awareness campaign should be intensified to make the media problem-free and add capable manpower.

Kenya’s Minister of Information and Communication, Joe Mucher, welcomed the Council’s delegates from around the world and said that such forums should address the global challenges posed by the new media.

He emphasized that the media should never abandon its ethics, despite political and social problems and tensions.

Chairpersons and representatives of 3 dozen countries are participating in the meeting.

Chairperson Basnet from Nepal, former acting chairperson of Press Council Nepal Kishor Shrestha and council member Thakur Belbase are participating in the meeting.

Shrestha, who is also the secretary-general of the World Press Council, said that various issues have been added to the media with the change in time.

Prof. Dr. Sule Aker, President of the World Press Council, informed that the Kenya Declaration will be issued after discussing the suggestions from all the countries.