Government to introduce Mass Communication Bill soon, says Minister Sharma

KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has announced that the government is gearing up to introduce legislation concerning Media Council, Social Media, and Mass Communication at the earliest opportunity.

During a discussion on bills to amend and consolidate laws related to Public Service Broadcasting, Minister Sharma highlighted the government’s commitment to bringing about legal frameworks addressing media regulation and communication in the digital age.

Minister Sharma disclosed that the Media Council bill is currently under discussion in the National Assembly.

She emphasized the need for the Communications Ministry to take a leading role in overseeing the proposed council, particularly focusing on its mandate and scope of authority.

Addressing concerns about the integration of Radio Nepal and Nepal Television into public service broadcasting, Secretary at the Communications Ministry, Ram Krishna Subedi, stressed the importance of ensuring that any legislation reflects the country’s unique context rather than simply mirroring international models.

The move to introduce comprehensive legislation reflects the government’s recognition of the evolving media landscape and the need for robust frameworks to govern media ethics, social media usage, and mass communication channels.