Proposal seeking consideration on Media Council Bill approved

KATHMANDU: The National Assembly meeting today unanimously approved the proposal seeking consideration of the ‘Media Council Bill, 2080’.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma presented the proposal during the meeting.

Lawmakers Devendra Dahal, Madan Kumari Saha Garima, and Tulasa Kumari Dahal expressed their views on the bill.

Responding to the lawmakers’ views, Minister Sharma noted that the bill incorporates provisions for new media, inclusion, women’s participation, and provincial involvement.

She also reminded the assembly that a previous version of the Media Council Bill had been approved but was later deemed irrelevant.

The new bill was developed through extensive discussions and consultations with expert groups and has been revised compared to the previous draft.

The Minister emphasized that lawmakers could enhance the bill by providing constructive feedback.

She highlighted that the bill represents significant progress in implementing the Mass Communication Policy, addressing issues such as the documentation of journalists, professional safety, freedom of expression, and self-regulation.

Meanwhile, Jayanti Devi Rai, Chairperson of the Legislation Management Committee, presented the committee’s report on the Safe Transaction (First Amendment), 2080.

The National Assembly is scheduled to meet next on Monday.